There’s a report in the Donegal News of an interview with Philip Boyce, bishop of Raphoe, regarding the fallout from the Murphy report.
It’s worth looking at what he says.
Boyce described the report as “shameful, horrific and beggars belief, it is hard to say anything else about it.”
Boyce then described how one of the priests named in the report, Patrick Maguire, was dealt with in Donegal.
“Patrick Maguire was here before my time and before Bishop Hegarty’s time.
“He came to Letterkenny in September 1974 and served here for one year and a few months.
“He did great damage before and after he served here, all of which was unknown to the bishop of the time. Bishop McFeeley had needed help and he asked the Missionary congregation.
“As soon as he became aware of Fr Maguire’s activities he was sent back to the Missionary Society.”
“This should not happen especially by a priest who people respect so much. We are doing our utmost to protect children to ensure that such a thing will not happen again.”
We can only hope that next time, the priest is not simply moved on to his next assignment.