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HIA inquiry: Catholic Church admits 'catastrophically' failing child abuse victims | HIA inquiry: Catholic Church admits 'catastrophically' failing child abuse victims |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Catholic Church has admitted that some children in its care were "tragically and catastrophically" failed. | The Catholic Church has admitted that some children in its care were "tragically and catastrophically" failed. |
Fr Tim Bartlett, representing the Diocese of Down and Connor, was giving evidence to Northern Ireland's Historical Institutional Abuse inquiry. | Fr Tim Bartlett, representing the Diocese of Down and Connor, was giving evidence to Northern Ireland's Historical Institutional Abuse inquiry. |
It is currently examining claims of abuse at a County Down boys' home. | It is currently examining claims of abuse at a County Down boys' home. |
"The diocese would not wish to offer any excuse at this stage. Only apologise," Fr Bartlett said. | "The diocese would not wish to offer any excuse at this stage. Only apologise," Fr Bartlett said. |
'Very evil people' | 'Very evil people' |
He told the hearing at Banbridge courthouse that the concept of caring for vulnerable children was "noble". | |
However, he accepted that some children were abused because of the actions of some Catholic Church figures and the inactions of others. | However, he accepted that some children were abused because of the actions of some Catholic Church figures and the inactions of others. |
Fr Bartlett told the inquiry that "good people made very fundamental mistakes and some very evil people capitalised on that and manipulatively, manipulatively, used that situation for the most grotesque ends." | Fr Bartlett told the inquiry that "good people made very fundamental mistakes and some very evil people capitalised on that and manipulatively, manipulatively, used that situation for the most grotesque ends." |
The Down and Connor priest was greeted warmly by some survivors of abuse at the end of his testimony. | |
Fr Bartlett works as an episcopal vicar for education in Diocese of Down and Connor and is also a member of the Catholic Council for Social Affairs. | |
The HIA inquiry was set up in 2013 to investigate child abuse in residential institutions in Northern Ireland over a 73-year period, up to 1995. | The HIA inquiry was set up in 2013 to investigate child abuse in residential institutions in Northern Ireland over a 73-year period, up to 1995. |
A total of 13 Northern Ireland institutions are being investigated. | A total of 13 Northern Ireland institutions are being investigated. |
It is currently examining abuse claims at Rubane House boys' home, which was in the Diocese of Down and Connor. | It is currently examining abuse claims at Rubane House boys' home, which was in the Diocese of Down and Connor. |
The home was operated by the De La Salle religious order. | |
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