Abbot's apology does more harm than good - survivor groups

paulneilan@gmail.com Fr Brendan Smyth's abbot has finally apologised to victims for his inaction over not stopping the country's most notorious paedophile, but survivor groups say his words do more harm than good. Fr Kevin Smith, who was the predator's boss as abbot in Kilnacrott Abbey, Ballyjamesduff, yesterday (Tuesday, May 29) said: "Having had some time in prayer and reflection in Medugorje on the past when I was Abbot and Superior of Holy Trinity Abbey, Kilnacrott, Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan, I wish to acknowledge and apologise to all those who were abused in any way, their family, friends and fellow priests for mistakes which happened within the Church and various Institutions from August 1969 - March 1995, when I retired. "I thank the present Prior and Superior for the counselling help being made available through 'Towards Healing' [the telephone counselling service]. "However, I believe that the real permanent healing comes from inviting Jesus Christ, The greatest Healer of all, into our lives and handing over to him all our hurts. There has been a call for a criminal investigation and or international enquiry - I promise that I would be open to and give all information to either or both of those bodies. The Truth will set us all free. "I trust that each one of the abused and indeed the abusers will accept this apology with the goodwill and sincerity with which it is offered. I shall remember you all daily in my Holy Masses and prayers." Abuse survivor group One in Four said while it acknowledged the apology of the former abbot to Smyth's victims, his statement could do more damage than good: "We believe the form the apology takes is likely to cause further anguish to surviviors." "Abbot Smith's refusal to act contributed directly to the sexual abuse of children. The tone of his apology indicates that he has no understanding of the immense suffering his failure caused and continues to cause to the survivors of Brendan Smyth's abuse," said executive director Maeve Lewis. The Alliance Victim Support Group secretary Tom Hayes said Fr Smith simply "does not get it". "All this is very good for the Abbot's soul, but for those who were abused by Smyth, they have long since left these beliefs behind them and so cannot be comforted," he said. "The Religious Congregations simply "do not get it". A child abused, is abused for life. They will carry that abuse throughout their lives. It will reach into every sinew of their being and will continue to inflict painful memories, whether they are at home, work or on holidays. Night time is the worst. Feelings of guilt, remorse and fear all pass through the mind while heavy sweating is the outward sign of these times. "Saddest of all for victims is that they do not even have their religion for comfort during these dreadful times. We see none of this the in Abbots statement! He cannot reach those abused. They have long since left his flock! Every statement will again remind these victims of the acts of abuse perpetrated against them by Smyth and the failure of the congregation and the Church to properly protect them." Kilmore Diocese Bishop Leo O'Reilly described the then abbot's inaction as Fr Brendan Smyth's superior as "inexcusable". "I find it incomprehensible that Abbot Smith did not take effective action to stop Brendan Smyth committing further abuse against children," he said. "This failure to act was inexcusable," he said, adding that he was "profoundly saddened and angered" by the violation of children's innocence. The Order of the Norbertine Committee, of whom the abbot was in charge, said in a statement: "We do not wish to add to the many statements we have issued on this matter over the years. We again fully accept our failings in this matter and again sincerely apologise to those abused by Fr Brendan Smyth." As Smyth's superior since 1969, Fr Smith had known for some time about the paedophile priest's "propensity to molest children". He has previously said Smyth was reassigned every two or three years to prevent him "forming attachments" to families. He has also admitted that he did not warn two parishes in the US of the priest's history when Smyth was sent there. Smyth went on to abuse children in that country too.