Sir, - Contrary to Bernard Neary's assertion (December 31st), the Archbishop of Dublin has neither said nor suggested that "the time had come to consign child sex abuse by clerics to the annals of history".
The guidelines about child sexual abuse issued by the Catholic Bishops' Conference are the official policy of the archdiocese. In accordance with these guidelines, any known or suspected abuse is reported to the Garda.
Your correspondent refers to abuse in an institution unconnected with the Archdiocese of Dublin. The archbishop has asked his officials to bring it to the attention of the relevant religious authority. Moreover, if your correspondent has knowledge or suspicion of grounds for a criminal charge, it would be important for him to convey the information he has to the Garda. - Yours, etc., Fr John Dardis, SJ, Communications Director,
Archdiocese of Dublin,
Archbishop's House,
Dublin 9.