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Bishop again apologises for saying funeral Mass of priest who sexually abused pupils

Bishop John McAreavey has again apologised for officiating at the funeral of a priest he knew had been accused of sexual abuse. Picture by Colm Lenaghan, Pacemaker
Bishop John McAreavey has again apologised for officiating at the funeral of a priest he knew had been accused of sexual abuse. Picture by Colm Lenaghan, Pacemaker Bishop John McAreavey has again apologised for officiating at the funeral of a priest he knew had been accused of sexual abuse. Picture by Colm Lenaghan, Pacemaker

A CATHOLIC bishop has again apologised for officiating at the funeral of a priest he knew had been accused of sexual abuse.

Bishop of Dromore Dr John McAreavey said last week his decision to say the funeral Mass of Fr Malachy Finnegan in 2002 was "wrong".

The apology was read out at all Masses in the diocese yesterday, including those in which Fr Finnegan served.

Dr McAreavey read out his apology, acknowledging what he had said previously, at Newry Cathedral.

Fr Finnegan had been accused of sexual abuse at St Colman's College in Newry. He taught in the school from 1967 to 1976 and was president from 1976 to 1987.

He was never prosecuted for abuse, but allegations were investigated in 2011 by the Church's clerical abuse watchdog, the National Board for Safeguarding Children.

In his statement Bishop McAreavey said: "Since becoming bishop in 1999 everything I have learned about the abuse of victims I have learned from victims.

"It is their testimonies and their stories which have impacted most on me. It is through their perspective that I realised that my decision to say the funeral Mass of Malachy Finnegan in 2002 was the wrong one.

"In November 2002 a victim told me how hurt he was by this, I realised that I had made an error of judgement. It is something I regret and will not repeat."

He added: "As bishop, I am conscious of the need for many victims of abuse to receive acknowledgement, an apology, counselling and indeed compensation.

"With the assistance the diocesan director of safeguarding and other advisers I do my best to meet their needs."

The Dromore diocese said the first allegation against Fr Finnegan came to light in 1994, seven years after he left St Colman's College.

Bishop McAreavey described the actions of the former teacher as "abhorrent, inexcusable and indefensible".

"From 1994 to 2016 there have been a total of 12 allegations of abuse against him. He has caused hurt, which in some cases may never be healed. He has devastated families, including his own, and his former colleagues also feel betrayed by his behaviour," he said.

"We speak about abuse cases as being historical but we must never lose sight of the reality that the legacy of abuse lives on for victims and for them it is all too present. I ask you to pray for them and their families.

"As always, I encourage anyone who feels that they may have been abused in a church context to come forward and receive the support they are entitled to."

Bishop McAreavey went on to give details of the Church's child safeguarding policy.