Young Irish priest fearful of being branded a pedophile

Delivers heartfelt homily about his fears to Donegal congregation

KERRY O'SHEA,

IrishCentral Intern

Published Tuesday, December 6, 2011, 7:39 AM

Updated Tuesday, December 6, 2011, 11:36 AM

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Young priests photographed at a conference in Germany

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Donegal priest Father Damien McGroarty, 29, delivered a dramatic homily on Sunday in which he shared his worry about whether others assumed him to be a pedophile.

His concern comes following the release of the Raphoe Report, which found that 14 priests had abused 52 young people in the Raphoe Diocese he serves in.

"These past few years, I have always felt self-conscious about my decision to become a priest. Will people ridicule me for becoming a priest? Will I be branded a paedophile priest? Even now I am so self-conscious walking down the street wondering what are people thinking of me,” said Father McGroarty during his homily.

The Irish Examiner reports that Father McGroarty feels the impact of the abuse on both a personal and a communal level. The young priest worries for both the Church and his perceived image as a priest in light of the scandal.
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“I hope and pray that justice is administered by the state and by the Church," said McGroarty in his closing, to which he received an enthusiastic ovation.

Just an hour after delivering his emotional homily, Dr Philip Boyce, the Bishop of Raphoe, read a pastoral letter during the 11:15 mass offering apologies to both the victims and the community the abuse effected.

"We have all suffered from this painful chapter in our history,” said Dr Boyce, “But we pray that this awful sin and crime will not continue to afflict us, but that our children will remain unhurt and safe.”

Boyce had taken office in the Raphoe Diocese sixteen years ago. He said that of his tenure there, he admired the dedication and work of the the "vast majority of the priests of the diocese".

"Whatever good we do for them [our children] is for the good of all, since the future belongs to them," Boyce said.

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JoePatAl | Dec 07, 2011, 08:28 PM EST

Well, I guess that illustrates to him how most Gay Men feel when they, especially by the Church, get accused of 'destroying family values' when they do nothing else but love their spouse who is of the same gender. Certainly hope Fr. McGroarty then goes forth and uses that understanding to help stop overwrought persecution based merely on two phrases from the OT. Afterall, 'everyone' should not be disparaged by a 'few.'

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MusherMaggie | Dec 07, 2011, 06:32 PM EST

Look up the statistics on pedophilia in public schools and in churches of other faiths; it is much more prevalent there than in the Catholic Church, but is almost completely ignored by the media. We need to pray for the courageous men who choose to become and remain Catholic priests in these times.

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canadianirish | Dec 07, 2011, 01:35 PM EST

Father Damien McGroarty may well want to rethink his career choice. How could he possibly work for an organization that deliberately and methodically turns a blind eye to child sexual abuse??!..and then refuses to pay compensation to all of those victims involved. I do wish someone would start a large class action lawsuit asking for damages in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Vatican Inc. could start by selling off their pricey artwork as compensation. The world is watching you Vatican Inc!

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pilib04 | Dec 07, 2011, 12:37 PM EST

Father Damien should feel concerned. Until our Church takes responsibility for all of its evil involvement in the child rape coverup, all priests are going to have to feel the way Father Damien feels!

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gobdawpaddy | Dec 07, 2011, 06:48 AM EST

I agree with katiemac, but not her conspiracy theory however. I was in Catholic school between the ages of 4 and 18 and had many priests as teachers. Just as with lay teachers, not all the priests could teach, but they were some of the finest men I have encountered. I also served mass and was around priests on a regular basis in that capacity. I never heard so much as a rumour about any of them. While I appreciate that their have been monsters, I feel sorry for the majority who are decent well meaning people.

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CaptainCon | Dec 06, 2011, 04:19 PM EST

'WE have all suffered....', 'OUR chidren will remain unhurt and safe...' just how many children does the Bishop of Raphoe have? More claptrap attempting to align the church with suffering when the church itself is the cause of much of it.Too late, Dr Phil. Too late.

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RyanLocke | Dec 06, 2011, 11:04 AM EST

Katiemac your assertion that radical gays had an agenda to infiltrate the Church and bring it down from within is utterly reprehensible and is yet again another example of your extreme paranoia and hatred for gay people. As someone who clearly associates herself with the Catholic Church it would better serve you to follow the spirit of Jesus' teachings to love all. The next time you're in Church you might just be shaking hands with heaven forbid a homosexual (they do go to Mass too you know). Furthermore, and more importantly, your insinuation that homosexuality and pedophilia are inherently one in the same is blithely false and dangerous; they have NOTHING to do with one another (and that's not just my opinion but the consensus of all mainstream scientific discourse). In a time of increased teen suicide of young gay people struggling with the bigotries of so called Christians like you your comments are disgusting. Shame on you!

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Springfield9 | Dec 06, 2011, 09:58 AM EST

Well, it's not so bad, only 1 in 5 is likely to transgress.

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