Judgments reached on allegations against priests

An ex-priest in the Diocese of Cloyne failed in his bid to overturn the Vatican decision to laicise him, writes Sarah Mac Donald.

Daniel Duane, 77, was dismissed from the clerical state last January over allegations of child abuse. It is understood he was the subject of up to 11 complaints of abuse but was acquitted in two civil actions taken against him.

The canonical court said that it had “reached the decision with moral certainty” that he had sexually abused minors and that he “should be dismissed from the clerical state”. Duane continued to say Mass privately and appealed to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF). Last week, the CDF confirmed the judgment of the canonical trial.

Meanwhile, Brian Morton reports, a parish priest from Perth has been restored to full ministry after being suspended in September over a historical abuse allegation. The Diocese of Dunkeld referred the case of Fr Tom Shields of St John the Baptist Church to police but no evidence of criminal behaviour was found. Fr Shields was last year appointed Vicar Episcopal for faith formation of young people. He has now been appointed parish priest of St Fillan’s Church, Crieff, and St Margaret’s Church, Comrie.