A priest was sexually abused as a young adult in the 1980s by a fellow member of the clergy.
The Catholic Church has apologised for its treatment of a priest who was sexually abused as a young adult in the 1980s by a fellow member of the clergy.In a statement, the Bishop of Down and Connor, Alan McGuckian, said the priest was "not believed and supported by the diocese when he should have been".
He said of the priest: "He showed courage and leadership in the face of incredulity, disbelief and animosity on the part of many, including clergy of the diocese."A review into the handling into the cases of Donaghy's abuse by the late Bishop Patrick Walsh and the diocese, was carried out last year.In his statement, Bishop McGuckian said the diocese received a report in February.
"In contemporary church law the sexual abuse of a vulnerable adult victim is of no less magnitude than the abuse of a minor. This was not recognised at that time in the case of a dominant adult abuser and a vulnerable young victim."He added that he acknowledged "the toll" all of this had taken on Fr McCafferty since his initial reporting in 2001.
Extending the apology to all of Donaghy's victims, the bishop added: "When James Donaghy was finally convicted there was a lack of demonstrable regret in the apology from the diocese for the wrongs done to his victims. "I want to take this opportunity now to apologise sincerely to all the victims in that case and all cases."Bishop McGuckian said Fr McCafferty "speaking out has encouraged others to come forward"He said: "This has been a very long and painful road. Today is an important step towards further healing and recovery."Donaghy was released from prison in 2017 after serving five years of his sentence.
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