THE ARCHBISHOP in the Munster diocese of Cashel and Emly has asked priests to consider making voluntary contributions to a fund which covers the diocese’s cost for child protection issues.

Dermot Clifford has asked parish priests to pay €60 per month into a Clergy Contribution Fund, in order to cover debts incurred by the diocese in child protection issues. Curates are also asked to contribute €50 per month.

In a statement this evening, the diocese said the request had stemmed from a recent meeting of the diocese’s Council of Priests, where it was proposed that the Archbishop make a renewed appeal to priests asking them to help restore the fund.

The statement did not state whether the fund had been used to pay settlements to the victims of clerical sexual abuse in the Cashel and Emly diocese.

The fund was first put in place five years ago to assist in covering the diocese’s costs arising from the investigations into clerical sexual abuse.

The diocese said no other details on the cost of child protection would be forthcoming.