The Spiritan Congregation in Ireland will be the first Catholic male religious order internationally to undergo an audit to establish “the reality of the sexual abuse of children and minors by clergy, religious or church workers.” The Provincial Chapter state that “until a complete picture is known of past and present abuse, from within the church, there can be no possibility of authentic accountability or renewal.”
The present Provincial Leadership Team, supported by the recent Provincial Chapter, state that they believe that only a public audit of the reality of abuse committed by Spiritans can free the Congregation to continue its mission of service among God’s people here in Ireland and overseas. That mission, today, includes the Congregation’s outreach to those who were abused.
This audit, at the Spiritans’ own request, was announced on its website yesterday and will be conducted by the Catholic Church’s National Board for Safeguarding of Children. The audit is expected to take place in May of this year.
Presently the Spiritans’ manage some of the best-known schools in Ireland, e.g. Blackrock College, Willow Park, St. Michael’s College, St Mary’s College, Templeogue College and one of Co Tipperary’s top educational centres, Rockwell College, situated just outside Cashel.
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