Dead man's wife claims under-fire bishop is also victim
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THE former wife and daughter of a child sex abuse victim who took his own life believe the Bishop of Limerick should be allowed to continue his work.
Cathy McCloskey, whose husband Peter died three years ago after repeated attempts to seek redress from Dr Donal Murray following the sexual abuse he suffered, said the bishop should not be forced from office. Peter McCloskey was repeatedly raped by Fr Denis Daly, who has since died, in the Caherdavin parish while serving as an altar boy in 1980/81. He reported the matter to Dr Murray in 2002, but died four years later.
After Dr Murray was named in last week's Murphy report, Peter's father Aidan said that "a criminal would have been treated better by the bishop" and called for the bishop's immediate resignation.
However, Mrs McCloskey and her daughter Amy said they have received great support from Dr Murray since Peter's death in 2006.
Institution
Mrs McCloskey said Dr Murray's critics were looking for a senior church member to blame.
"They're looking for a head on a plate. They are trying to get Bishop Murray out of office.
"He is a victim of an institution and it is not fair," she said.
Despite Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin saying he was not happy with Dr Murray's reply to the Murphy report, Mrs McCloskey said yesterday that he has dealt adequately with the affair.
"I think he should remain. I can understand people's anger, but I know Donal Murray personally. He is a very kind, humane man. He is very shy in his ways."
Amy (17) added that Dr Murray has "been there" for herself and her sisters at all times.
"He has helped us and is very caring, he is constantly ringing asking if we are ok. Even there only a few days ago, he asked could he come out to see how we were doing," Amy said.
- Barry Duggan
Irish Independent
