Jan. 12, 2012
By Thomas P. Doyle

APPRECIATION

Mary Raftery, an Irish journalist whose documentary series States of Fear exposed abuse in Irish Catholic schools, died in Dublin on Monday. She was 54.

Mary was a journalist by profession, but by vocation, she was a deeply honest and compassionate woman who fearlessly challenged the Irish Catholic Church, and in doing so, made the present and the future a safer place for children.

Mary may not be as well-known in the United States as she is in her native Ireland, yet her life has made a profound difference for victims of clergy abuse everywhere. She did more than any one person to force the systemic vicious abuse in the Irish industrial schools into the open. She continued with her passion to help victims with her documentary Cardinal Secrets, an expose of the cover-up of sexual abuse in the archdiocese of Dublin.

In 1999, Mary produced States of Fear. The ground-breaking documentary series revealed the almost-unbelievable and certainly horrifying degree of physical and sexual abuse in Irish industrial schools run by religious orders. The revelations chilled Ireland to the bone and resulted in what came to be known as the Ryan Commission to investigate the abuse.

When States of Fear aired in 1999, it sent shock waves through Ireland. But most importantly, it vindicated the thousands of victims whose youth had been destroyed in the living nightmares scattered throughout the country.

Mary’s other major project involving the church was a documentary about sexual abuse perpetrated by priests in the Dublin archdiocese.

Cardinal Secrets aired on a Thursday night in October 2002. On Friday morning, the front pages of the major Dublin newspapers zeroed in on the culture of dishonesty and cover-up orchestrated by the hierarchy.

The hard-hitting documentary portrayed the sexual violation in graphic and forceful terms. The most infuriating moment in the film comes when a reporter asks Cardinal Desmond Connell, then archbishop of Dublin, how often he met with victims. He replied, “I’m a very busy man.”

I first met Mary in 2002, when she was working on Cardinal Secrets. She wanted to interview me for the film, so I flew from Germany, where I was living at the time, to Dublin.

I met Mary and her co-producer, Mick Peelo, and we went to dinner at a small Thai restaurant. I liked her from the start. She was unassuming, gentle and obviously brilliant. But what struck me more than anything was her compassion and quiet outrage at the spectacle of sexual and physical violation of the innocent by the church. Our only point of contention was when Mary wanted me to wear a Roman collar for the interview. By then, I didn’t even own one, and was loath to put on the garb again for many reasons, not the least of which was my fear that abuse survivors would see me in it and think I had betrayed them.

Mary and Mick were adamant: “If you wear that thing, even the pious Irish old ladies will believe every word that comes out of your mouth.”

She won. I located a clergy collar and carried it in a shopping bag to the RTE studio the next day. I put it on in the men’s room and sat for the interview.

Cardinal Secrets was a success, certainly not because I was in it, but because Mary and Mick were thorough, fearless and direct. The result: the investigation by the Murphy Commission, whose report was issued in November 2009.

Mary and I were instant friends. We stayed in contact and would get together whenever I was in Dublin. She never changed — she was always gentle and sensitive, but her courage and willingness to take personal risks to expose injustice never wavered.

Mary Raftery’s life was short when considered in terms of years. Yet she did more in those years for Ireland, for children, for abuse survivors and for humanity than most could ever dream of accomplishing. The Irish culture was in desperate need of liberation from the chains of clericalism. Mary Raftery, more than anyone else, wielded the ax that shattered those stifling and destructive bonds.

[Tom Doyle is a priest, canon lawyer, addictions therapist and longtime supporter of justice and compassion for clergy sex abuse victims. He is a co-author of the first report ever issued to the U.S. bishops on clergy sex abuse, in 1986.]

 

16 Responses to “Irish journalist whose documentary uncovered sex abuse dies”

  1. robert says:

    I understand Pauline I still do not like it when I hear of children getting hurt, I just heard on the news about The roman catholic has rights too in regard to schools in Ireland, some people never learn do they?. but what about our rights and our children’s rights? The roman catholic has always had the right of way, but surely people must question the thought of leaving their children in religious schools.
    The very nature of denial of their own sexuality as man and women claim they do not have sex has to be questioned. The very nature of these men and women who know nothing on raising up innocent children as a family, the very nature of these men and women locking themselves up and torturing themselves in the name of God, the very nature of these men and women coming from places we do not know from what kind of backgrounds no one knows only the Head of the religious who accepted them into the priesthood and the nunnery, the very nature of not knowing their personal qualifications IF THEY HAVE/HAD ANY in education, can only lead way to cruelty and abuse toward children.
    We as parents look into our children’s eyes and think how we will protect our loving little ones from such Religious crap.
    We make sure they get a better life than we ever did.
    There is enough information in survivors lives for the Government to protect our children through out the future.
    Religion should be taught in the homes of those who want it, that way the priests and so on can visit the Families they claim they want to help where everything is above board and the children are not left alone with them.
    This goes for all religions.
    My answer to the people out there is NEVER leave your children alone because someone has a fixation on religion.
    Before you even let a person touch your child you would always want to be there, even friends would not go upstairs to the children on their own, they let mum or dad know if they hear them not sleeping.
    Educate children not to trust such people just because they say they are religious, a Vicar, a Priest, a Nun A bishop, a Pastor and so on.

  2. There are all kinds of artists. go and do your art. it will be the art that has come from your own inner self. It will show what you feel and thats the main thing. I am delighted that you and your family have a better place to live now.Most of us only learned how to treat kids when we had our own. But i see that this interests you too. When my daughter looked at me with her little girls face I started questioning how the nuns treated us. I wouldnt treat a stray dog so cruelly. thay had no empathy at all towards children. the head nun x s called me the spawn of the devil and that i dident deserve a mother. how bloody stupid can a person be. and it takes hate to treat kids like that. thay should be kept out of schools as all thay taught us was perverted. it took years of my life to accept that thats what it was.i had always thought it was me .

  3. Robert,so happy for you deligthed you finally got a home hope it brings you and your child happiness.Continue with your art you never know what may happen.All the best Catherine.

  4. robert says:

    Very Interesting video of A Survivors story hope all will view and listen as it may help parents

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQgxNKas69M&w=420&h=315%5D

  5. robert says:

    I finally got a home with a very hard struggle thanks to Michael MacCarthy out TD from West Cork.
    He is very good and has been keeping me up to date on his attempts.
    As for the Art? well I seem to have lost out on that as I have no cd to present the people who make the choice.
    I do not believe for one moment it just went missing but that it never went past Mr. Barry’s decisions to show it to the people who matter, as if he knows anything about art.

  6. Thank you very much Robert. And to you too i wish you and everyone a very good year . Robert i have read your posts and i agree with you that its a great help to be able to say what i think . For years i was frightened of any contact with others from the institutions. Every now and again i would see something about what was going on on the tele. Apart from the lawyers and commission i hadent any news at all . this of course is true for many and those who contact seem very upset and defensive. so now i know i am not missing out on any thing. I hope for you that you get a decent place to bring your child up and pratice your art. its time thay heard you.

  7. robert says:

    Pauline you have a great Year this year, I only hope it brings you and family good health and good fortune as I wish this for all you wonderful people on here.
    Paddy’s site has brought some wonderful people together here and I for one am truly thankful

    Just maybe we can all meet up some where during the year.
    Look after yourselves stay warm, stay safe and kick some ass LOL

  8. robert says:

    Hi Seanie Happy New year and to say Thank you for your posts Seanie and how wonderful it is to see survivors like your good self airing good views on here in Fact Happy New year Every one love you all for your constant support for Witnesses/survivors on here.
    Highest respect for you all Robert

  9. robert says:

    Pauline Happy New Year luv sorry not said it yet to anyone on here, Thank you so much for your great support for survivors and families regards Robert

  10. I hope that she gets the credit for her work . Thousands of people all over the world are aware of what she did. a statue can be anything from a fountain to the effel tower.but for the future generations to come its important that thay know this irish women wasent a silent sheep cowed down by someones guilt or fear .

  11. robert says:

    Once more there are no clear declarations on what has been agreed by the Government and Religious.
    Groups would have been a much better help realizing survivors need simplicity not hundreds of papers full of legalities and documents they have no chance of understanding. The staff are run of their feet and the phones were busy or unanswered.
    Here are some simple ideas that could have made things clear.
    As such.
    SURVIVORS ENTITLEMENTS:

    PART ONE. REDRESS:
    !. Do you have to declare redress? who to?
    2. Is the redress to be means tested? answer yes/no if yes how?
    3. Do you have to notify how much you received? who to? and why?
    4. What are you supposed to use your redress for?
    ( well it may sound silly but hey survivors feel it is only for welfare purposes nothing else)

    EDUCATION FUND

    1. Who specifically qualifies?
    2 What are the age groups?
    3. What does this fund cover?
    4. What courses can you do?
    5. How much are you entitled to each year?
    6. How long will the funding last?
    7. Can you still apply for the main educational grants?
    8. what is the difference between the VEC and this Education fund
    9. does this fund cover special needs?
    10. people with disabilities what is covered?

    COUNSELING FUND

    1. Who exactly qualifies?
    2. Can you find and choose your own counsellor?
    3. Is the service free?
    4. What about expenses to see your counsellor?
    5. Is there a limited time to see a counsellor?
    6. people with disabilities what is covered?
    FAMILY TRACING

    1. Who qualifies?
    2. How do you start?
    3. Are fees paid if any?
    4. Are expenses paid?
    5. How do you get someone to represent you?
    6. How long does this service run?
    7. people with disabilities what is covered?

    FINALLY
    DOES THE COST PUT FOWARD FOR THESE FUNDS PAY FOR ALL THE ADMINISTRATION COSTS, BILLS, AND WAGES TOO?

    Here are some suggestions hope they may help but some what I believe the funds are to finish this month.
    There is not going to be much left in the STUPID STATUARY FUND AFTER ALL THIS BEING DUMPED INTO IT.
    THE WELFARE OF SURVIVORS ARE STILL NOT ADDRESSED.
    THANK YOU MICHAEL AND PADDY AND ALL ON HERE
    REGARDS ROBERT

  12. robert says:

    Well Michael
    thank you for aiming this at me i find it rather condescending one that as you say this site is where (survivors) can receive information.
    I am just the one survivor, and I write here for the one purpose, that is just like the rest of us we feel nothing is being done at all to heal or support us.
    Here you single me out from other survivors, and I do not believe I am being abusive to you.
    We ARE members of the survivors who suffered in those hell holes, it is due to this purpose we are on here. Trying to be transparent about the hurt and the struggles in our everyday lives, that the government and the religious are deaf and blind to the hearts poured out here.
    Your staff in the right of place Ann Marie and the lads in reception do try to do their best by survivors, I have asked to talk to you personally but you are never around.
    I have informed your office of all problems that are on going with my family, yet after all the letters and phone calls I, just cannot eat papers, nor can i dress my baby in them nor can i keep warm in them nor can i travel to hospital on them, I cannot pay the bills with them etc etc, these things have been going on for a few years now.
    So yes I have contacted you and your office, but there is NO GOOD NEWS YET.
    You are also aware of the fact our very young children did not qualify for the funds especially education funds.
    No sir you are aiming your views the wrong way, sir your views should be made public by now on the total neglect of the whole set up regarding survivors.
    Face the Government the religious the Media lets see something about what we need the public to see.

    THE TRUTH THERE IS NOTHING FOR THE WELFARE OF SURVIVORS AS WE ARE CALLED. NO NOT EVEN A WRITTEN APOLOGY YET FROM EITHER GOVERNMENT AND CHURCH.

    All we are hearing is the country has no money. No the country may not but the government took 500 million euro for their 50% guilt and dictated the statuary fund then dumped all their responsibility of education, counseling, family tracing funds in to it.
    They are guilty 100% the religious are 100% so does this mean you and I can do a crime together and only pay 50%each of the fine or do 50% of the time for that crime.
    Yet most survivors are or have spent their redress on just WELFARE purposes as that their redress has been seen as sufficient savings.

    BEFORE GOVERNMENTS GET INTO POWER THEY NEED VOTES, THEY PUT ACROSS THEIR AIMS FOR THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND SO WE CAN DECIDE IF THEY ARE THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO RUN THE COUNTRY.
    FOR OVER TEN YEARS NOW WE HAVE SO MANY GROUPS WITHOUT ANY AIMS ON BEHALF OF THE SURVIVORS THEMSELVES.

  13. Seanie says:

    Well said Michael, we are very proud of you, let us all know how many of our brothers and sisters have signed the book of condolence for our hero Mary, it is befitting that all group leaders let us view their names, we love you all.
    Seanie

  14. Micheál says:

    Hi Robert,

    The reason I try and reply as little as possible on this and indeed shame of Ireland’s website is because it would detract from what these websites were set up for.

    Both paddy and Robert have created avenues for Survivors to receive information they may otherwise not. It is with this in mind that I gave you my e-mail address and contact details to contact me directly should you have any questions or requests for information. I am only too willing to answer any questions you may have truthfully and honestly, providing the questions can be answered and naturally are non abusive. The same goes for any Survivor / family member who access this site (or any one that you know does not access this site) I am always available and my details can be found on our own website.

    I have already paid my respects to Mrs.Raftery through our book of condolences which is both on our website and in each of our regional offices. This has received a Huge response and has allowed the many, many Survivors who do not access the computer Mark their respects also, to a wonderful pioneering and fearless woman.

    Finally, Looking at these websites to see can I be Of assistance to anyone is not strictly part of my outreach duties, however I am keenly aware that the many (not all) who contribute to this site are not members of any group/information network so to me I feel it is important that people are aware if they need support – somebody is there and it is entirely up to them if they choose to use it or not. But the days of not getting information/support are gone, I am more interested to ensure everybody has, at the very least, the option.

    Thanks again.

  15. robert says:

    I NEVER SEE MICHAEL WALSH WRITING HERE AS HE DOES ON THE SHAME OF IRELAND.
    IT SICKENS ME AS HE CLAIMED HE READS AND ANSWERS QUESTIONS ONLINE AS PART OF HIS OUTREACH DUTIES .
    IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE SEEN HIM PAY HIS RESPECTS HERE AT LEAST SO MUCH FOR HIS OUTREACH CLAIMS.
    HE WROTE ON THE SHAME OF IRELAND TO ANSWER MY POSTS AND LAYED OUT BEFORE ME WHAT HIS FUNDS ARE NOT FOR SO OBVIOUSLY HE KNOWS THE NEEDS OF SURVIVORS BUT HAS DONE NOTHING THUS FAR, THE LAST SELF RIGHTEOUS FOOL PACKED OFF WITH ALL FUNDS TOO.
    MARY WE MISS YOU DEAREST LADY, THE MEDIA CALLS YOU BRAVE TO US THIS IS BECAUSE YOU PUT SURVIVORS FIRST BEFORE YOUR OWN CAREER THANK YOU SO MUCH MARY LOVE ROBERT,
    IF THE MEDIA HAVE HAD ANY HEART AT ALL THEY WOULD DO THE SAME AND SEE TO IT THE VERY PEOPLE YOU REPRESENTED WOULD GET THE JUSTICE THEY DESERVE AND THE SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT AND RELIGIOUS CLAIM TO BE DOING.
    BUT THEN THERE COULD NEVER BE ANOTHER MARY AGAIN THANK YOU REST IN PEACE BUT YOU LIVE FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS AND IN THE LIVES OF THIS WHOLE STORY.

  16. Seanie says:

    Tom,
    Not only did it vindicate the thousands of victims around the Country, she sent shock waves around the world whose lives had been shattered that is why I, as an escapee at age 16 and three months from the shores of the country I still love want Mary to be honoured with a statue of her and not myself and others as victims in every city and town in Ireland, infact, the lady should be declared a (saint of the survivors) by the Roman Empire.
    Seanie. A Canadian.