Within the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference, he chaired the Council for Doctrine and the Theological Committee.[4] He also served as patron of the Catholic Grandparents Association and the president of Action Tuam.[5]
In a statement on 21 May 2009, Neary described the Ryan Report as "sad and disturbing reading", and offered on behalf of the Catholic Church his unreserved apologies "for our failure to protect children".[7]
He added that had lay people been more involved in the Church, the response to clerical child sex abuse allegations "would have been different".[8] In a letter to the priests of the Archdiocese of Tuam following a meeting held between Pope Benedict XVI and Irish bishops from 15 to 16 February 2010, Neary said that "in the discussions [Pope Benedict XVI] asked for the forgiveness of the victims", adding that "the need for co-operation with civil authorities, the HSE and Gardaí, and the complete implementation of the Church’s own norms and procedures were seen as central to the safeguarding of children".[9]
He also acknowledged that while the problem of clerical sexual abuse was not one "which is peculiar to Ireland or to the English-speaking world, or the church, nevertheless its impact is intensified in the church, damaging its credibility in a number of areas, for example, its teaching on marriage and the family, on sexual morality, and on the church’s role in education and Catholic schools".[8]
In a homily given on Reek Sunday 2010, Neary said that "the truth of past pain is certainly coming to the surface. But this is good news. We should embrace the truth even though this can be a painful task". However, he also asked for awareness "of the dangers contained in what some have called a 'culture of blame'. We seek out the negligence of doctors, the health service, bankers, the Church or the school. Maybe this makes it easier to deal with our own shortcomings, the neglect and indifference of others and the tyranny of blind chance. Christ did not encourage us to imprison people by their human failings. Instead he taught us the way of forgiveness."[10]
Apostolic visitation
On 6 October 2010, Neary, along with the Archbishops of Armagh, Cashel and Emly and Dublin, engaged in high-level talks with heads of Vatican congregations over the organisation of an apostolic visitation to Ireland, in the wake of the Murphy and Ryan reports. While in Rome, the four archbishops met the four apostolic visitors appointed by Pope Benedict to examine the four Irish archdioceses and "some other as yet unspecified dioceses":
Neary was praised for his actions in a review into the handling of clerical sexual abuse allegations in the Archdiocese of Tuam that published on 30 November 2011. The report stated that while serious harm was done to children by a few priests of the archdiocese, Neary met allegations "with a steadily serious approach, taking appropriate action under existing guidelines, and rapidly assimilating the lesson of the necessity for the removal of the priest, where there is a credible allegation, pending investigation".[11]
The report also stated that it is clear from the "excellent records" that a genuine effort was made to gather evidence from victims and their families during the Church inquiry stage and such "thoroughness is to be commended". The report added that "[it was] also a fair reflection to say that the archbishop has met resistance in asking a priest to step aside from public ministry", and that it was "to his credit that in spite of opposition, [Neary] has maintained his authority and kept some men out of ministry where there is evidence to suggest that they should be viewed as dangerous and should not have access to young people."[11]
Neary called the report "an enormous tribute to all working in this area", added that it was "very encouraging to see that their work has been recognised, affirmed and appreciated in the report".[11]
In a homily given on 5 March 2017, Neary expressed his upset at the publication of the findings of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation two days earlier, adding that he was also "greatly shocked [...] to learn of the extent of the numbers of children buried in the graveyard at the Mother and Baby Home in Tuam" and describing the news as a "body blow".[12][13] On 12 March, he expressed "an urgent need for an enquiry to examine all aspects of life at the time, broadening the focus from one particular religious congregation, and instead addressing the roles and interrelationships between Church, State, local authorities and society generally", and hoped "that the Report of the Commission will enable that truth to surface in a clear and objective manner".[14][15][16]
In a statement welcoming the publication of the final report of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation on 13 January 2021, Neary referred to the findings as "a cause for shame", acknowledging that the Church "failed in its responsibility to love and cherish those who were thus diminished" and that when "the Church is not serving with compassion, it is failing". He went on to acknowledge and humbly ask "forgiveness for the abject failure of the Church for the pain and suffering visited on those women and their children in the Mother and Baby Homes nationally".[17][18]
Retirement
In accordance with Canon law, Archbishop Neary submitted his episcopal resignation to the Dicastery for Bishops on his 75th birthday on 15 April 2021, but was expected to remain in the see until a successor was appointed.[19][20][21]
He subsequently remained in the see until the appointment of his successor, Francis Duffy, on 10 November 2021.[22][23]
