Statement from the Norbertine community

Irish Times
Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 18:47

The community at Holy Trinity Abbey Kilmacrott have been deeply saddened at the controversy surrounding Cardinal Sean Brady in recent days.

(..* )Brendan Smyth was a member of our community during the whole of his priesthood. Throughout that time, he was subject to the authority of our leadership in all matters concerning his behaviour. On many occasions over several decades, (..*)Brendan Smyth availed of psychiatric and other forms of treatment. None of these interventions had any effect. It is clear that the only effective means of dealing with a person of his propensity is through the rigour of criminal law.

We again acknowledge our failure to remove (..*) Brendan Smyth permanently from the exercise of ministry. The actions taken by the late bishop McKiernan in 1975 were necessitated by our failures. Based on the information provided by Fr. Brady, who clearly believed those who he had interviewed, bishop McKiernan prohibited (..*) Smyth from exercising ministry in the diocese of Kilmore.

Since (..*)Brendan Smyth’s conviction in 1994 we have dedicated ourselves to making amends for his crimes and our failures. Within the limited resources available to us we have made restitution to 42 of (..*)Brendan Smyth’s victims and have helped very manyothers through counselling and spiritual support.

We apologise again to each and every person who was abused at any time by (..*) Brendan Smyth, to their families and to the many others who suffered through these events. We apologise also for our failures to Vardinal brady, to Bishop leo o’reilly and to the congregation and friends who have continued to support us here at the abbey.

* tekstwijziging Crispina.
2005 'Samantha', from Co Meath, was one of Smith's victims and met with the Abbott of the order to which he was attached to have the title removed.