Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Priests 'spat on' due to sex abuse scandals

YOUNGER priests are afraid to go out in public wearing their clerical collars because of anger over the child sex abuse scandals, a well-known cleric has claimed. 

Fr Paddy Dunne, the communications officer for Raphoe diocese, said he knew priests in Dublin who had been spat on.

"I know of some younger priests who are afraid to come out or to be seen in public. They stay at home," Fr Dunne told Highland Radio.

"I know priests in Dublin who have been spat on because they were recognised as priests, but thankfully that has not happened here."

He added: "Some of the younger priests in Donegal feel ashamed because of what has happened in the past . . . It's a shame because these younger lads didn't know any of this stuff was going on and have no responsibility for it."

Fr Dunne admitted the church was facing a "doomsday scenario" with a sharp decline in the number of those entering the priesthood.