Parish priest moves out of parochial house even though DPP says he has no case to answer
A NORTH Kildare parish priest, Fr Philip Corcoran, has moved out of his parochial house and will not return to his role as Parish Priest of Confey despite being cleared of sexual abuse allegations by the State.
Fr Corcoran is currently under investigation by the Church itself into an incident alleged to have occurred over 20 years ago. Fr Corcoran stepped aside as parish priest in May 2008 in accordance with State and Church guidance after these allegations came to light.
However, the Director of Public Prosecutions made a relatively quick decision that there was no case to answer.
In June 2008, the Confey priest was cleared of the allegation of sexual abuse but has not returned to duties since, pending the completion of the Church's own investigation.
Last Sunday Fr. Michael Hurley PP, Leixlip, who is standing in for for Fr Phillip in Parish of St. Charles Borromeo in Confey, read a letter issued on behalf of the Archbishop of Dublin, informing the parishioners that Fr Corcoran will not be returning to his role as parish priest.
They were informed that Fr Tony O'Shaughnessy will take the position of Parish Priest of Confey from mid-January 2010.
"In 2,000 Archbishop Connell appointed Fr Philip Corcoran Parish Priest of Confey for a period of nine years," read the letter.
"That period expired in July 2009. Archbishop Martin has now appointed Fr. Tony O'Shaughnessy as Administrator of the Parish of Confey. He will be taking up his position in mid-January in the Parochial House. An allegation of child sexual abuse was made against Fr. Corcoran. Since then, in accordance with Church and State guidance, Fr Corcoran has not been exercising the office of Parish Priest. In these matters the protection of children is paramount. The allegation was investigated by gardai and a file was sent to the DPP who decided not to proceed with a prosecution. In accordance with our Church procedures the material relating to the allegation arising from a preliminary investigation by the Diocesan Child Protection Office and meetings with the gardai and the HSE (Health Service Executive) was then sent to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome.
"In August 2009 the congregation directed Archbishop Martin to establish a Canonical Trial to hear and adjudicate on the allegation. That process has now begun and will take some time. It is regrettable that the proceedings dealing with an allegation take so long. Archbishop Martin would wish it were otherwise as the length of time weighs heavily on all concerned. It is important to state again that what is being investigated is an allegation which has not been established as either true or false.
"Lest Fr. Corcan's choice of residence be interpreted as meaning that the allegation has been the subject of determination, the Archbishop is providing this clarification and update. Fr. Corcoran has expressed a desire to remain living in this Parish where he has served for the last nine years while the Church’s legal procedures take their course. Alternative accommodation within the Parish has been provided for him.”
Fr. Corcoran, a Dublin native, had served in Kilmead in Kildare, Valleymount in Wicklow and Castleknock, Dublin, before moving to Confey parish.
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Monday 20 May 2013
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