Bishop brands abbott's failure to stop Smyth as "inexcusable"

The failure of the abbott of Kilnacrott Abbey to take "effective action" to stop paedophile priest Brendan Smyth from abusing children has been branded as as "incomprehensible" and "inexcusable" by the bishop. In a statement to The Anglo-Celt Bishop Leo O'Reilly did not comment on Cardinal Sean Brady's role in the controversy renewed by the BBC's documentary 'The Shame of the Catholic Church' other than saying that he was involved in "a thorough enquiry". Bishop O'Reilly was damning of Abbott Kevin Smith's failure to act to prevent Brendan Smyth from continuing to sexually assault children after the investigation had been presented to him. "Cardinal Sean Brady, then Fr Brady, was involved in a thorough enquiry into allegations against Fr Brendan Smyth in 1975. The results of that investigation were given to the late Bishop Francis MacKiernan, who presented them to Brendan Smyth's Religious Superior, Abbott Kevin Smith. "I find it incomprehensible that Abbott Smith did not take effective action to stop Brendan Smyth committing further abuse against children. This failure to act was inexcusable." Bishop Leo O'Reilly's statement in full: "I saw the broadcast of the BBC's This World programme which focussed on the abuse perpetrated by Eugene Green and Brendan Smyth. It was shocking. I was deeply moved by the courage of the men who spoke on the programme about their appalling abuse. I was also profoundly saddened and angered by the violation of their innocence as children and the betrayal of their faith and trust by these priests who were supposed to represent the love and compassion of Christ. "Cardinal Sean Brady, then Fr Brady, was involved in a thorough enquiry into allegations against Fr Brendan Smyth in 1975. The results of that investigation were given to the late Bishop Francis MacKiernan, who presented them to Brendan Smyth's Religious Superior, Abbott Kevin Smith. I find it incomprehensible that Abbott Smith did not take effective action to stop Brendan Smyth committing further abuse against children. This failure to act was inexcusable. "Today I wish to assure everyone that the child safeguarding structures and procedures in place in the diocese of Kilmore ensure that all allegations of abuse of children made to the Church are promptly reported to the Health Service Executive, an Garda Síochána and to the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland. "On a personal and human level I wish to express my deep sorrow to all victims of abuse, and in particular to anyone abused in the Church. I am acutely conscious that words alone cannot help to alleviate the painful memories of abuse. It is only through effective safeguarding procedures and constant vigilance that such evil can be prevented from occurring in the future. "I once again invite anyone with any concerns in relation to abuse of children by Church personnel in the diocese of Kilmore to bring them to our Designated Person, Suzie Duffy, at the Child Safeguarding Office, The Pastoral Centre, Cullies, Cavan, phone no. 049 4375004, ext 5, or to report them directly to the civil authorities." 3 May 2012