Child abuse charges in Ireland, from CNN

[Guest guest]

Irish church to pay abuse package

January 31, 2002 Posted: 0850 GMT

 

 

 

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Ireland's Roman Catholic religious orders are to pay $110

million to a fund compensating children sexually abused by its clergy.

 

The victims of the abuse date back to World War II and include former child

care institution residents

 

The government-backed package was agreed after discussions between ministers

and the orders involved in sex and other forms of abuse allegations and

subsequent courtroom proceedings, which have been going on for more than 10

years.

 

Announcing the move, Irish Education Minister Michael Woods said the terms

of the agreement would allow "all relevant parts of Irish society to make a

meaningful redress for past wrongs" through which children had been injured

over the years.

 

The payments will date back to when Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern issued

a formal apology to the victims on behalf of the state nearly three years

ago.

 

A commission established by the government has been conducting an inquiry

into abuse charges, some originating as far back as the 1940s.

 

In most of the cases, those accused have been members of religious orders.

 

More than 3,000 people have applied -- from Australia, New Zealand, Canada,

South Africa and continental European countries, as well as Britain and

Ireland -- to present evidence to the commission.

 

Sister Elizabeth Maxwell, of the Conference of Religious in Ireland which

represents 18 separate orders, said in a statement: "We accept that some

children managed by our members suffered deprivation and physical and sexual

abuse.

 

"We regret that."

 

Sister Maxwell also said that while the pain experienced by the children

involved, or the shadows left on their adult lives could never be taken

away, the contribution being made to the government redress scheme was "a

concrete expression" of their genuine desire to foster healing and

reconciliation."

 

The 128 million euro contribution from the religious orders will include a

cash donation to the government package of 38 million euros ($32m) and

property transfers to the state amounting to 80 million euros ($70m).

 

The package also includes 10 million euros ($8m) to be spent on counselling

services.

 

Some of the victims said, however, that they regarded the amount being made

available by the orders as "paltry."

 

John Kelly, of the Survivors of Child Abuse organisation, said: "The

taxpayer should not pick up the bill for abuse committed by members of the

religious orders."

 

But Woods said it was felt that governments in the past had a major

responsibility as the state had been "responsible for placing the children

in the institutions involved."

 

Under the terms of the deal worked out with the religious orders, the

government has agreed to indemnify the orders against possible future legal

action.

 

And those accepting awards from the scheme will have to agree to drop

existing legal actions and agree not to pursue others.

 

Bishop Eamonn Walsh, of the Catholic Bishops' Child Protection Committee,

said: "I think the religious orders have been extremely generous in the way

that they have responded.

 

"It must have put extreme strain on their resources."