A Catholic Bishop criticised in a sickening report on the Church’s mishandling of clerical child sex abuse in Ireland was tonight given the full backing of priests and Mass-goers in his diocese.

Under-fire Bishop of Limerick Donal Murray faced mounting calls to stand down after a State inquiry branded his failure to investigate a paedophile priest "inexcusable".

Bishop Murray insisted, however, he would be judged by lay people and the priests of the Diocese.

About 80 of his supporters met yesterday before issuing a letter praising his integrity and pledging their total support.

“We believe it would be a retrograde step for the continuing development of safeguarding children, in our diocese and society, for our bishop to resign,” the group said.

“He has given us wonderful leadership in this regard and we believe he is worthy of the wholehearted support expressed at our large gathering on Sunday.”

Judge Yvonne Murphy found hundreds of child abuse allegations were covered up by senior churchmen over a 30-year period because they were obsessed with secrecy and upholding the reputation of the Church.

But Bishop Murray was singled out for handling a number of complaints and suspicions badly.

The report said he did not deal properly with suspicions and concerns about paedophile Fr Tom Naughton and failed to reinvestigate the priest when proof of abuse was brought forward.

Twenty complaints were made against him.

Despite these findings supporters said: “We are convinced from our experience of his 13 years as our bishop that Donal Murray is a good person.

“We have deep respect for and total confidence in his personal integrity, as well as his utter commitment to truth and justice.

“We believe him when he says; ’I never deliberately or knowingly sought to cover up or withhold information brought to my attention’.”

The inquiry, headed by Judge Yvonne Murphy, found many auxiliary bishops in Dublin knew about sex abuse allegations.

Bishop Murray told parishioners in Limerick yesterday that he would be guided by the priests and people of his diocese.

Supporters responded by praising the Bishop and claiming he had embraced and rigorously implemented National Standards and Guidelines for the Safeguarding of Children.

“He has worked tirelessly and involved so many at all levels to put in place diocesan procedures to ensure that safeguarding and protection of children is paramount,” they said.

Rank-and-file clergy, survivors of abuse and opposition politicians have said churchmen implicated in the report who still hold a position of power should resign.

Defence Minister and Limerick TD Willie O’Dea said he was sure that Bishop Murray, who he knows personally, was examining his position and would take the appropriate action.

But Taoiseach Brian Cowen refused to be drawn into the controversy and said it was for institutions and their members to determine the appropriateness of any individual to hold ecclesiastical office.

Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin, who has been credited for opening secret church files to investigators, said he had no authority to ask anyone to resign over the scandal but revealed that a bishop could be removed if criminal proceedings are brought.

Senior gardaí have launched an investigation into the handling of allegations.

Earlier, Bishop of Killaloe Willie Walsh claimed damning findings on senior clergy in the Dublin report were being misread.

“I do know that there has been gross misreading of the Dublin report in relation to Bishop Murray. There has been very serious misreading of that,” he told RTE Radio.

And Bishop Walsh went on: “I’m quite uncomfortable with this kind of public trial.

“I’d have to ask: is it about healing of survivors or is it about some sort of desire that we need to get a head on a plate?”

Eamonn Conway, a priest in Tuam diocese and professor of theology at Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick also refused to call for Bishop Murray’s resignation.

“I do not believe that scapegoating him now will ultimately serve the healing of victims or the healing of the Church,” the academic said.

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04/02/2010: Dublin Archbishop 'a source of division'
22/01/2010: Bishops hold talks after sex abuse report