Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Rosary beads image via Shutterstock

Priest dismissed over complaints of child sexual abuse

A number of complaints of sexual abuse of minors against the priest have been upheld by a canonical penal trial today.

A PRIEST IN a Cork diocese has been dismissed over allegations of child sexual abuse.

The Diocese of Cloyne said today that a number of complaints of sexual abuse of minors against one of its priests have been upheld by a canonical penal trial today.

It said that the priest has now been dismissed from the clerical state.

In 2011, the government published the final passages of the damning Cloyne report into the handling of clerical abuse allegations in the diocese. It is understood that the priest dismissed today was the ‘Fr Ronat’ referred to in the report which detailed 11 different complaints against the man of abuse that occurred between 1989 and 2009.

Although restrictions were placed on Fr Ronat’s duties in the wake of some of the complaints, he continued to officiate at Confirmation ceremonies in the early part of the last decade.

An official representative of the diocese made contact today with the complainants, who took part in the trial, to inform them of the verdict.

The diocese said it will now “continue to offer counselling and pastoral support to all who have been abused”, and expressed “deep regret at the suffering that has been caused”.

Read: Government publishes final sections of damning Cloyne report>
Read: Vatican’s response to Cloyne ‘will be published imminently’ – report>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
74 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds