Diocese braces itself for flood of new claims
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THE Diocese of Cloyne is braced for a flood of new civil claims as controversy over the handling of clerical abuse allegations persuades new complainants to come forward.
Allegations of abuse have been made by up to three new individuals since the controversy erupted last December.
The diocese is also now reviewing the strict supervisory regime imposed on the clerics at the centre of the claims.
In one case, the father of an abuse victim claimed he had information the cleric involved had been in contact with another youngster and now lived close to a school.
It appears the ongoing controversy over Cloyne's handling of clerical abuse complaints, and the headlines generated, has persuaded other alleged victims to come forward.
Most are making contact via victim support groups -- though one man contacted the diocese directly.
The existing claims date back more than 15 years. None were successfully prosecuted. In at least one case, civil proceedings have been under way for almost five years.
It remains unclear whether the civil claims may now be stalled pending the outcome of the Archdiocese of Dublin's Abuse Commission inquiry into Cloyne.
- Ralph Riegel
