A two-year government investigation has revealed more than 100 allegations of abuse against 26 priests in the Diocese of Ferns.

A TWO-YEAR GOVERNMENT investigation has revealed more than 100 allegations of abuse against 26 priests in the Diocese of Ferns. The 26 priests represent nearly 10 percent of those who served in the period under investigation (1966-2005).

The report, which faulted police and local officials but reserved its most scathing criticism for church leaders, including the Vatican itself, has lead to calls for parliament to reconsider the relationship between church and state in Ireland.

Despite the savage indictment of their conduct, church leaders were less than wholehearted in their contrition. While Archbishop Sean Brady of Armagh conceded that "the betrayal of trust is horrendous," the current bishop of Ferns, Eamonn Walsh, would only acknowledge that the report "is a sober reminder to me and to the priests of the Diocese of Ferns of the depth of damage that has been done to those who were abused by priests. There are no excuses for what has happened in the past."

In a speech to the Irish parliament, Liz O'Donnell TD said, "This report, however, is landmark [as] it will change forever the special relationship that has existed for many decades between church and state. This report must be the starting point for the state's response to all contained in it. This new beginning cannot happen unless the old relationship ends. The unrelenting deference, which constituted the relations between state and church was given and expected. It was extremely influential in terms of outcome. It must end absolutely. Only then can the state act as it should as we go forward--objectively."