Athlone native says time needed to consider interment of Bishop Eamon Casey in Cathedral crypt
The Athlone man who is currently Bishop of Galway has said that the interment of Bishop Eamon Casey in the crypt beneath Galway Cathedral “now requires a period of careful consideration and consultation”.
Bishop Michael Duignan, is a native of Athlone, Co Roscommon, and attended Cloonakilla National School, Bealnamulla and Saint Aloysius College, Athlone.
In a statement issued by the Galway Diocesan Office on Saturday, the bishop referred to his comments on Tuesday relating to the life and legacy of Bishop Eamonn Casey, where he expressed his commitment to “working with anybody affected, to help bring truth, healing and peace to such terribly painful situations.”
He added: “In this context, the interment of the remains of Bishop Casey in the crypt beneath Galway Cathedral is a very sensitive issue that deeply affects people in different ways, and which has different facets. The interment of Bishop Casey in the Cathedral crypt now requires a period of careful consideration and consultation, which has already begun.
“Time and space are required to adequately and appropriately bring this undertaking to completion. We will not be making any further public comment until we are in a position to provide an update.”
Since May 2022, Michael Duignan is the Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh, Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora and Bishop of Clonfert.
On Tuesday, the Diocese issued a statement in which Bishop Duignan said: “I am deeply aware that the content of recent media coverage concerning the life and legacy of Bishop Eamonn Casey is a source of anger and profound distress to many people, and in different ways. I share these feelings. My priority is that any person who was betrayed or harmed by Bishop Casey is heard and that their experiences are appropriately acknowledged and recognised.”
The Diocese of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora said it adheres to all current procedures for responding to allegations concerning the safeguarding of children as governed by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland. All safeguarding allegations are reported to An Garda Síochana and TUSLA for investigation. Diocesan safeguarding personnel, along with the Bishop, are available to provide pastoral care and support. Counselling is also available through the independent professional support organisation Towards Healing.
“I remain committed to working with anybody affected to help bring truth, healing and peace to such terribly painful situations,” Bishop Duignan said.
His statement followed Monday night’s RTE television documentary which revealed the church received four separate complaints of childhood sexual abuse against Bishop Eamon Casey, the former Bishop of Galway, who died in 2017.