Irish Americans outraged at Irish child abuse report

'The collar shouldn't save them from prosecution'

APRIL DREW,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Wednesday, June 3, 2009, 3:27 PM

Updated Thursday, July 23, 2009, 5:39 PM

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Kerry native Gerry O'Shea says that the report just corroborates the stories of abuse that were already out in the open

Prosecution

Like many others, Corridan feels that those responsible for the abuse documented in the Ryan report should face the law like everyone else who commits a crime.

“The fact that someone wears a collar, it doesn't exempt them from prosecution,” he says.

In order for the church to survive the crisis, Corridan feels it needs to “take responsibility for the wrongdoings of its members,” and act in a “proper manner” towards the victims instead of making halfhearted apologies.

American-born Mike McGovern, with roots in County Cavan, is an extremely devout Catholic. McGovern, 65, has been a Eucharistic minister for 12 years, and a catechist in his parish in Long Island for 11 years. He was the parish school board president and a volunteer with his wife at the parish social ministry office.