Fr Ray Brady (77), a priest of
the Diocese of Meath, pleaded guilty to a number of charges of child
sexual abuse and was today sentenced in Trim Circuit Court.
Fr Brady,
ordained in 1960, was removed from ministry, in accordance with Church
guidelines, in 1999 when I was first informed of allegations against
him.
Today I wish to express my profound sorrow and shame to those
who were abused by Fr Brady, and to their families, for the pain and
trauma inflicted on them.
Such abuse was a betrayal of trust by him and
I condemn it unreservedly.
I want to assure them that they are and
have been in my thoughts and prayers throughout this process.
If I can speak directly to the
victims: I offer you my humblest apologies for the betrayal of trust
you have experienced.
I welcome the fact that your experiences are
heard and believed. I hope that, justice having been served, it will
facilitate your path to healing and inner peace.
The painful facts of this case of
abuse are a stark reminder that the diocese must be ever vigilant in
its efforts to safeguard children.
I wish to reassure everyone that the
highest possible standards exist in our parishes to safeguard children
and young people.
The Diocesan Safeguarding Children Committee has
policies and procedures, which have been implemented in all 69 parishes
by the Safeguarding Representatives in those parishes.
Over many
years the diocese has worked in close cooperation with the HSE to
achieve this objective.
It continues to be a pastoral priority of the
diocese to provide a safe environment for children and young people, to
ensure their safety and enable their full participation in the life of
the Church.
I encourage anyone with concerns
regarding the safety of children to contact, without delay, the Gardaí
or the HSE or our diocesan designated liaison person, Fr Sean Henry.