PRESSURE ON the Catholic Bishop of Cloyne, the Most Rev John Magee, to resign is mounting after the Minister for Children Barry Andrews last night questioned his suitability to be patron of national schools in the diocese. His comments came following publication of a highly critical report into child protection practices in the diocese.
Mr Andrews said: "I can't really look into whether or not he should be in charge of that diocese, but I have a concern in relation to his role as patron of all national schools in Cloyne and whether or not we have a role to consider in that regard."
In relation to the report into child protection practices in Cloyne, Mr Andrews said on RTÉ News: "The bishop has to reflect on those findings because they are very serious."
A second report on child protection practices in his diocese is due to be presented to Government on January 7th. This HSE report was presented to Mr Andrews on December 4th last. Since then he has been seeking legal advice on it.
Last Friday a report by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, an independent body set up by the Church, found child protection practices in the diocese to be "inadequate and in some respects dangerous".
Mr Andrews said the report was "very worrying" and that "clear lessons must be learned". Asked to comment on a call by One in Four for Bishop Magee to resign, Mr Andrews said it was not up to him to say if the bishop should resign. That "was a matter for the pope", he said.
