never enough already
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 11:43 pm
sorry Jim, coudln't resist...
There was a widespread cover-up of child sex abuse in the Scottish Catholic church, it has been alleged.
Scots bishops reportedly knew of at least 20 allegations of abuse between 1985 and 1995. The Church in Scotland insists child protection procedures have since improved dramatically and such cases are now rare. In the mid-1990s, Alan Draper, a lecturer at Dundee University, was appointed to advise the Church on sexual abuse. The BBC said it had seen letters to him from Scotland’s eight bishops which refer to 20 allegations of abuse by priests.
Academic Mr Draper said: ‘I was very concerned about their unwillingness to expose priests leading double lives. I felt that was totally inappropriate.’ The Church said he was involved ‘at an early stage’ but ‘was replaced when others with greater competence were engaged’. More alleged victims are coming forward after Cardinal Keith O’Brien admitted sexual misconduct. He does not face criminal allegations or claims of child abuse.
Lawyer Cameron Fyfe said: ‘I’m acting for six clients who allege abuse, two of whom have come forward in the last few weeks.
He said two of his clients claimed to have been raped as children in the late-1980s and mid-1990s. In a statement, the Church in Scotland said: ‘All allegations are notified to police. All necessary steps are taken to remove anyone in danger from situations of risk.’ Yesterday, they formally agreed to exempt two colleagues who have signalled they will not attend, including Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who resigned last week.