Propagating the Faith

Back in 1996, Bertie Ahern apologized for the State's involvement in the physical and sexual abuse that took place in Ireland's industrial schools. For decades, the Catholic Church worked hand in hand with the Free State, identifying children at risk of moral lapse and then locking them away in what would today be identified as a juvenile detention facility. The scope of the abuse that took place boggles the mind. The lawsuits and tribunals go on, even today.

By 2000, then, one might expect that the gentlemen running the religious show would be a touch more aware, or at least a bit more sensitive, to the topic of sexual abuse within their ranks. Then one would think wrong, apparently.

Dr. John Buckley, Bishop of Cork and Ross, received a complaint from one of his priests, Father James Davern. According to Father Davern, he was violently assaulted while a pupil at Farrenferris diocesan college back in 1963. Since the Vatican had jumped on the sexual abuse issue, issuing guidelines and rules and regulations to follow, one might think that Dr. Buckley would act according to the newly established protocol. Once again, one would be most incorrect.

Back in 1998, due to what are referred to as tensions, Dr. Buckley determined that Father Davern was a sick puppy, and he ordered him to leave his ministerial post and report to the Church-operated facility for priests removed from ministry. Not to be emotionally battered, Davern took up residence in the family home, and Dr. Buckley put a stop to the priest's income. One does not get paid to sit around and watch the All-Ireland Hurling Finals, now, do they? After a couple of years, the priest consulted a psychiatrist, and the next thing you know, he's alleging violent sexual abuse. By 2003, Father Davern was removed from ministry. Did he take that? Not for a minute. He went straight to the top, writing to the Pope himself.

In his ecclesiastical wisdom, Dr. Buckley determined that Father Davern was a mental case. Surely the man must be mad, to lodge a complaint against a fellow priest. Good excuse, to claim that Davern was suffering from a psychological infirmity. Not that he had any medical opinions to base his decision on, however. The bishop's opinion was certainly good enough. So, rather than remove the accused priest, as per Vatican regulations, the wise bishop kicked the abuse victim around a bit. Might have worked way back when, but times have changed, and the Vatican has finally issued their ruling.

Sorry, Dr. Buckley, but your 'psychological infirmity' ruling is dismissed as null, void, and having no basis in fact. And while you're at it, you'll need to give the good father all his back pay. Amounts to somewhere in the vicinity of 150,000 euro, give or take. You see, the psychiatrists examined Father Davern and found that he was as healthy as anyone.

Meanwhile, the priest who was accused of abusing Father Davern continues to minister to the faithful, in violation of Vatican decrees that order bishops to pull the cleric involved when a complaint is lodged. No priestly duties until the investigation is complete and the priest is cleared. The Garda Siochana is looking into the abuse claim, but still the accused abuser goes about his priestly duties, in violation of Vatican protocol. What better way to propagate the faith, Bishop Buckley. Keep up the good work, lad, and you might empty the churches of Cork and Ross in no time.