THE DIOCESE of Ferns has to date paid out more than €8 million in child abuse claims, Bishop Denis Brennan of Ferns said last night. It had “agreed 46 settlements totalling € 8,120,775”, he said.
He explained that “these have been funded from the diocese’s own resources, from insurance and from the Stewardship Trust’’, a central church fund.
“Treatment of offenders has amounted to €836,000, an investment in child protection in the long term,” he said, adding that “the diocese would like to record its deep gratitude to the other dioceses in Ireland for the very tangible support they have shown in their continued assistance in the funding of claims through the Stewardship Trust”.
Bishop Brennan was giving an address at the diocesan finance agm in White’s Hotel, Wexford.
Saying at the outset that he was “conscious of the very serious economic situation in which we find ourselves, as a country, and indeed as a world. The sad reality is that it is no longer a fear for many; it has actually arrived in terms of job losses, reduced hours, pay cuts, evaporating pensions, withdrawn public services, and ever-increasing domestic and commercial challenges.”
He said: “I would like to acknowledge tonight the many people who are now hurting in our communities and the many others who are frightened. My aim is not to add to that fear, yet elephants in the room create their own problems when unaddressed.”
Looking to the gospel for inspiration, he advised people: “Do not be afraid, in the words of Jesus and to ‘be mindful of your neighbour’. The current climate is taking its toll on virtually everybody”. He also said: “Let us openly prioritise our needs, not our wants” and let all proposals “be discerned in terms of ‘most vulnerable first, not last’ – and let us be content to do so,’’ he said.
“We are now clearly living in an age where wants are unaffordable, but where needs can be addressed; the needs of those on the margins at home and abroad and I respectfully suggest that we keep a close eye to education and health as the most important areas.”
Where diocesan finances were concerned, he noted “your money – for the most part [80 per cent] remains within your parish and it is managed locally by yourselves. What comes to the diocese and which has been outlined tonight is well managed and helps us to achieve the break-even situation we achieve almost annually.”
Concluding, he expressed gratitude to the Loreto congregation,celebrating its 400th anniversary this year, who also serve in Ferns.
