The Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Ferns, Bishop Eamonn Walsh, has apologised for the sexual abuse of children carried out by Father Sean Fortune.
Dr Walsh was addressing a 300 strong congregation at the local Church in Templetown in Fethard on Sea yesterday evening. Father Fortune served as a curate in the parish for part of the 1980s.
Dr Walsh, who was sent to the Diocese of Ferns following the resignation of Dr. Brendan Comiskey, apologised to the people of the area, in particular the victims and relatives of victims of Father Fortune, who committed suicide three years ago in New Ross.
In his address, Bishop Walsh said he believed the Church should apologise for the wrongs committed against some of its members. He said that while an apology may seem late in coming he felt it needed to be said that the Church was sorry for the wrongs of some of its members.
After the Mass Bishop Walsh met parishioners in the nearby Naomh Seosamh hotel in Fethard on Sea village.
It is the first time Bishop Walsh has publicly visited the Fethard on Sea parish since he replaced Bishop Comiskey following his resignation in April.
