Dermot J. Ryan
Encyclopedia
Dermot J. Ryan was the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Ireland from 1972 until 1984. He was ordained a priest on 28 May 1950 and consecrated bishop
on 13 February 1972. After his death he was criticised for having failed to act and covering up sexual abuse by priests in the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic archdiocese of Dublin
.
Dermot Ryan was Professor of Oriental Languages at University College Dublin
before his appointment by Pope Paul VI
as Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland on 29 December 1971. He was ordained a bishop by Pope Paul VI
in Rome assisted by Cardinals Bernard Alfrink and William Conway
(Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland), on 13 February 1972. At the time of his appointment he was seen as a liberal and a reformer in the Church. His predecessor John Charles McQuaid
previously had Ryan removed from teaching in the seminary in Dublin due to teaching liberation theology
.
. He strongly promoted the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland
in 1983, which changed prohibition of abortion from a law to a constitutional provision.
He was named in the Murphy Report
on sexual abuse of children in Dublin; his actions in respect of complaints against priest Fr. McNamee were described in the report as "an example of how, throughout the 1970s, the church authorities were more concerned with the scandal that would be created by revealing Fr McNamee’s abuse rather than any concern for the abused". He also did not act on complaints against other priests who were also subsequently confirmed to be abusers.
, was a gift from the Archbishop to the city of Dublin.
In January 2010, after Ryan had been criticised in the Murphy Report
the previous year, Dublin City Council sought public views on renaming the Park; in 2010 it was renamed Merrion Square Park by the City Council.
He also served as Pro-Prefect of Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
from 8 April 1984 until his death in Rome, following a heart attack at the age of 60.
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
on 13 February 1972. After his death he was criticised for having failed to act and covering up sexual abuse by priests in the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic archdiocese of Dublin
Sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic archdiocese of Dublin
The sexual abuse scandal in Dublin archdiocese is a major chapter in the series of sexual abuse cases in Ireland. The Irish government commissioned a statutory enquiry in 2006 that published the Murphy Report in November 2009....
.
Professor and scholar
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
before his appointment by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
as Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland on 29 December 1971. He was ordained a bishop by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
in Rome assisted by Cardinals Bernard Alfrink and William Conway
William Conway
William Conway may refer to:*William Conway , Roman Catholic Cardinal Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland*William Conway , 19th century American sailor...
(Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland), on 13 February 1972. At the time of his appointment he was seen as a liberal and a reformer in the Church. His predecessor John Charles McQuaid
John Charles McQuaid
John Charles McQuaid, C.S.Sp. was the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin and Primate of Ireland between December 1940 and February 1972.- Early life 1895-1914:...
previously had Ryan removed from teaching in the seminary in Dublin due to teaching liberation theology
Liberation theology
Liberation theology is a Christian movement in political theology which interprets the teachings of Jesus Christ in terms of a liberation from unjust economic, political, or social conditions...
.
Diocesan expansion
During his term he consolidated much of the expansion of the Archdiocese which had taken place during the term of his predecessor. He also oversaw the fuller implementation of the reforms of Vatican II. He was particularly interested in liturgical reform, and encouraged increasing numbers of Catholics in Dublin to receive Communion at Mass each day or week.Social opinions and activities
Archbishop Ryan also took a strong stand on social issues, including poverty, family life and opposition to abortionAbortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
. He strongly promoted the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland
Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland
The Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland introduced a constitutional ban on abortion. It was effected by the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution Act, 1983, which was approved by referendum on 7 September 1983 and signed into law on the 7 October of the same year.-Changes to the...
in 1983, which changed prohibition of abortion from a law to a constitutional provision.
He was named in the Murphy Report
Murphy Report
The Murphy Report is the brief name of the report of an investigation conducted by government of Ireland into the Sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic archdiocese of Dublin...
on sexual abuse of children in Dublin; his actions in respect of complaints against priest Fr. McNamee were described in the report as "an example of how, throughout the 1970s, the church authorities were more concerned with the scandal that would be created by revealing Fr McNamee’s abuse rather than any concern for the abused". He also did not act on complaints against other priests who were also subsequently confirmed to be abusers.
Archbishop Ryan Park
As Archbishop he gave the people of Dublin a public park on a site earmarked by his predecessors for a proposed cathedral; it was named "Archbishop Ryan Park" in his honour. The land, at Merrion SquareMerrion Square
Merrion Square is a Georgian square on the southside of Dublin city centre. It was laid out after 1762 and was largely complete by the beginning of the 19th century. It is considered one of the city's finest surviving squares...
, was a gift from the Archbishop to the city of Dublin.
In January 2010, after Ryan had been criticised in the Murphy Report
Murphy Report
The Murphy Report is the brief name of the report of an investigation conducted by government of Ireland into the Sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic archdiocese of Dublin...
the previous year, Dublin City Council sought public views on renaming the Park; in 2010 it was renamed Merrion Square Park by the City Council.
He also served as Pro-Prefect of Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples
The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in Rome is the congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for missionary work and related activities...
from 8 April 1984 until his death in Rome, following a heart attack at the age of 60.