Irish church knew abuse 'endemic'

by generaldecay | May 20, 2009 at 10:07 am

339 views | 50 Recommendations | 27 comments

An inquiry into child abuse at Catholic institutions in Ireland has found church leaders knew that sexual abuse was "endemic" in boys' institutions. It also found physical and emotional abuse and neglect were features of institutions.

I don't think it's much of a surprise to many people that the enquiry into abuse in Church-run schools and institutions in Ireland revealed that abuse was 'ignored' by the Church itself. Reports of sexual abuse in such institutions in Ireland have been emerging for as long as I can remember.

About 35,000 children were placed in a network of reformatories, industrial schools and workhouses up to the 1980s. More than 2,000 told the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse they suffered physical and sexual abuse while there. The leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady, said he was "profoundly sorry and deeply ashamed that children suffered in such awful ways in these institutions".

The report:

"It documents a shameful catalogue of cruelty: neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse, perpetrated against children." The five-volume study concluded that church officials encouraged ritual beatings and consistently shielded their orders' paedophiles from arrest amid a "culture of self-serving secrecy". It also found that government inspectors failed to stop the chronic beatings, rapes and humiliation.

The authorities mostly turned a deaf ear to the reports of abuse, particularly sexual predation by priests and inmates in the boys’ institutions, even when the victims came to them with complaints, the commission said. “The management did not listen to or believe children when they complained of the activities of some of the men who had responsibility for their care,” the commission found. “At best, the abusers were moved, but nothing was done about the harm done to the child. At worst, the child was blamed and seen as corrupted by the sexual activity, and was punished severely.”

A climate of fear:

The 2,600-page report, released Wednesday, seems likely to further undercut the moral authority of the Catholic church in a once devout country where attendance at mass has plunged over the last decade. It found that a climate of fear permeated most of the institutions, created by pervasive, excessive and arbitrary punishment at the hands of priests and nuns. Children lived with the daily terror of not knowing where the next beating or sexual assault was coming from.

Unfortunately, however, the report will not result in prosecutions. This is an understandably heart-breaking conclusion for the survivors of the abuse.

The findings will not be used for criminal prosecutions - in part because the Christian Brothers successfully sued the commission in 2004 to keep the identities of all of its members, dead or alive, unnamed in the report.

JOHN WALSH, IRISH SURVIVORS OF CHILD ABUSE: "The little comfort we have is the knowledge that it vindicated the victims who were raped and sexually abused. I'm very angry, very bitter, and feel cheated and deceived. I would have never opened my wounds if I'd known this was going to be the end result. It has devastated me and will devastate most victims because there is no criminal proceedings and no accountability whatsoever.

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Jarrett Martineau

at 10:33 on May 20th, 2009

Although this doesn't come as too much of a surprise, it's sad to acknowledge the prevalence and tolerance of this kind of behaviour within church-run institutions, regardless of their location.

And it is perhaps even sadder still that those responsible will not be prosecuted for their actions.

generaldecay

at 11:18 on May 20th, 2009

Jarrett, yes, it's devastating on many levels. And it is a cruel irony indeed that although we now know that the Church could have prevented so much pain, they have managed to secure their immunity regardless. They won't suffer at all.

Thank you for your recommendation and comment.

Amy Judd

at 12:09 on May 20th, 2009

Yes it's not a surprise unfortunately, though I wish it was. How devastating.

generaldecay

at 22:49 on May 20th, 2009

Quite.

Thanks for the recommendation and comment, Amy.

CJaye

at 12:46 on May 20th, 2009

This really is just totally disgusting.

generaldecay

at 22:51 on May 20th, 2009

Yes, it is. Thank you for the recommendation and comment, CJaye.

djermano

at 16:33 on May 20th, 2009

I think there is as much sexual abuse in Public Schools, which then causes kids to go on a gun shooting killing rampage. People continually like to bash the Catholic Church on this topic, while they turn their heads to the on going sexual sins supported by freedom of speech when it comes to pornography and the sex dens that thrive in the United States. There are more other Churches and Governmental Institutions that are as guilty..

Rev. Jermano

generaldecay

at 22:51 on May 20th, 2009

This report was about the Catholic Church and was based on thousands of allegations against Church members which have plagued Ireland for the last twenty years. That's why the emphasis is on the Church, obviously. It is likely indeed that there have been as many abuses at the hands of other institutions.

Babel-Fish

at 23:07 on May 20th, 2009

This abuse by the catholic church is a global issue, each time the Catholic Church as tried to cover up they moved the pedophiles and abusers elsewhere and even to other countries where they have abused again.

I frown on the fact that establisment that swears its priest and nuns to a life of celibecy then protected its sexual abusers. Is this because many of the senior members of the establishment have abused themselves? Of course it must be.

generaldecay

at 23:14 on May 20th, 2009

Babel Fish, I think it's a number of issues. But in the main, I believe that the Catholic Church is very corrupt and would cover up anything which may tarnish its name. You're likely right, too, that many of the higher echelons will indeed have committed abuse themselves.

Thanks for the recommendation and comment.

GerCMByrne

at 00:49 on May 21st, 2009

It's so important to the victims that finally this report has categorically stated what they've said for years. There is a nasty little lie that people believe in, that sure it was only a handful, it's blown out of proportion etc etc. I've heard commentators imply that victims were obsessed and needed to stop going on about it. Now at least someone officially has pointed out the truth although the fact that no one will pay for any of it is sickening.

generaldecay

at 10:01 on May 28th, 2009

Ger, I agree that this report is a much-needed resolution to this ordeal. But we need prosecutions. I've not had time to look myself to follow it all up but I believe that pressure to bring perpetrators to justice is increasing, regardless of their immunity. Thank you very much for your comment.

TomAikins

at 05:36 on May 21st, 2009

That the Catholic church can even pretend to have anything to do with the teachings of Jesus Christ is a travesty of unrivaled proportions. These people have been abusing, torturing and killing innocent people for hundreds of years and nothing that they stand for has anything to do with what civilized people perceive to be as just or humane. Even their inane stand on birth control causes untold suffering around the world on a daily basis. This is the worst institution in the world and if you don't agree with this opinion then tell me one that is worse, one that has caused more pain suffering and death than the Catholic church. I've tried to think of one and can't come up with anything remotely close.

generaldecay

at 09:59 on May 28th, 2009

Tom, I absolutely agree with everything you say! Thank you for the comment.

djermano

at 07:18 on May 21st, 2009

The US Military is far worse, being supported by the Mormons....who think nothing of killing millions of innocent people... There is the CIA who did 911 an inside job....and blamed the poor Taliban. There are the Amish killers, David Koresch, and Jimmy Swaggert.....Skull and Bones, Illuminiati, Guantanemo, and other torture Institutions. So if you are right why doesn't the US put the Catholic Church on the list of Terrorists? Because they are not, and most of the stuff you read here are lies, about them.

Rev. Jermano

generaldecay

at 10:04 on May 28th, 2009

Most of what we read about the Catholic Church is lies? This report proves otherwise. Unarguably.

TomAikins

at 19:12 on May 23rd, 2009

The U.S. military doesn't pretend to save people's souls like the morons in the Vatican do. The Mormons and the military? Skull and Bones, Illuminati, "other torture institutions?" You're not some kind of fruitcake are you? I guess the Inquisition never happened? You know, you'd probably feel right at home with the people who deny the Holocaust. And I guess all those priests who admitted to sexually abusing kids must have made up their stories too. Yeah, that's it. The Catholic church is completely innocent of all charges and everybody else is wrong. You ever heard of George Bush? Oh, and why don't we hear about all the sexual abuse that's happening in our public schools? Must be a Skull and Bones and Illuminati coverup, huh? By the way, where are these "sex dens" you mentioned? I'd love to visit.

generaldecay

at 10:03 on May 28th, 2009

Tom, I don't agree myself with any of the arguments that djeramo makes but I have to ask you to keep the discussion away from the personal. Please see the code of conduct for further information. Thanks.

djermano

at 15:29 on May 29th, 2009

The U.S. military doesn't pretend to save people's souls like the morons in the Vatican do.

And you claim the Vatican likes to coverup abuse....while the US government doesn't ? What was it Obama said? He was going to release torture pics, and prosecute higher level officials for approving torture...then changes his mind.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/may2009/tort-m29.shtml...

Right...they only kill people..the only thing they will ever know how to do.

The Mormons and the military? Skull and Bones, Illuminati, "other torture institutions?" You're not some kind of fruitcake are you?

Sorry I am not Gay like you.

I guess the Inquisition never happened? You know, you'd probably feel right at home with the people who deny the Holocaust.

Well let's just say I don't, but know darn well that the US helped support and do it.

And I guess all those priests who admitted to sexually abusing kids must have made up their stories too.

What does that mean? You mean they never killed any kids, unlike the thousands of kids killed by US soldiers....who also rape 14 year old girls and kills her family...and you go on pointing fingers at bad Priests and have celebrations for Soldiers protecting America by killing innocent people.

Yeah, that's it. The Catholic church is completely innocent of all charges and everybody else is wrong.

What I am saying is that it is possible the US has gone to far..by its life of killing kids...and people are caught up in the mental anxiety...and they go to see a Preist for help...but they find out that the Priest is as human as anyone else...and so perhaps something happens that was not thought to be abusive until later lies are allocated across the media...and distant memories come back and reinterpreted differently....

You ever heard of George Bush?

Who hasn't heard of that murderer?

Oh, and why don't we hear about all the sexual abuse that's happening in our public schools?

Well consider the embarrassment, and consider all the rapes that go on in the US. Did you know over 90,000 rapes happened last year? And although they may all not be kids..sure tells me there is something wrong with American society

Must be a Skull and Bones and Illuminati coverup, huh?

No coverup....they are just more skilled at lying and placing the blame...to people they don't like.

By the way, where are these "sex dens" you mentioned? I'd love to visit.

You must be a closet case.. or a real handyman....

generaldecay

at 06:25 on May 31st, 2009

Please don't get personal on NP. Code of Conduct. Also, homophobia, or bigotry of any sort is not tolerated here.

I've said the same thing to Tom: attack the argument, not the member. Thank you.

djermano

at 17:13 on May 31st, 2009

Thanks Gerald.......

Once upon a time a man hurled insults at another....and the insults went unanswered....making the man think he could do it again..... Falling from the spill thrown at him by the insulter to the floor, and stumbling to catch his fall.....his weight broke through the floor...causing more damage......and who caused the accident? Not the man who went through the floor.

Rev. Jermano

generaldecay

at 23:29 on May 31st, 2009

It's Alice actually (username: GENERALdecay)

In this case, both you and Tom were at fault. Please consult the code of conduct for further information on personal attacks on NP: http://my.nowpublic.com/newsroom/guidelines/code_of_conduct

djermano

at 17:33 on June 1st, 2009

Sorry Judge....but I must appeal....

Anyone pointing a gun or throwing insults at me....are not going to go unanswered... You want me to say nice things, after being attacked? This is what you are asking us to do right?

And so next time someone hurls an insult I can come and find sheriff Generaldecay? to protect me?

Rev. Jermano

Amy Judd

at 12:23 on June 2nd, 2009

No one can point a gun at you on NP, and no one is asking for you to say nice things, but as stated before, personal insults on not tolerated from any member, and if it happens again, you may come and find me and I will look at it.

If someone insults you the best thing to do is to let me know and say nothing in return; remember someone only insults someone else to provoke a reaction, nothing is more irritating than getting no reaction. However, if you stoop to their level and hurl insults back, both members are at fault and both may have to be suspended.

djermano

at 04:02 on June 3rd, 2009

Amy I have been threatened here at NP with a gun...so it happens. Thank you and I will take your advice and come to you..then.

I sure wish the US Government had to follow NP rules.....But you know the world doesn't work like that really. Or does it?

What really gets me irked too are the articles that are written; especially this one that will target a Religion...like the Catholic Church.....and there is no code of conduct to the personal attacks made in the article ....which errupts into comments being said...and then the issue of banning commentors comes up because of breaking the code of conduct is; totally backroom hypocrisy.

I am no Rush Limbaugh or Mike Savage...and I find those guys get away with saying things all the time.. and although they are not here at NP....would they be banned?

Rev. Jermano