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Newspaper ArticlesChild Abuse Introduction
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The fact that the Christian Brothers in Ireland chose to refute Archbishop Martin's release of the 'Fr Moore Report' solely in one newspaper is a sad reflection on the teachings of the church.
Brother Garvey overlooks the fact that the Catholic Church claimed to teach the truth. It now must honour that claim. The fact of the matter is that there were shortcomings in the industrial school system. Responsibilty bears upon the Catholic Church in Ireland and the Irish State.
The 'Nuremberg Principle' is justly applicable to any priest, monk or nun involved in the care of children on behalf of the Irish State. The fact that there were decent and honourable men and women teaching and running the industrial schools is not denied. Ergo, it is important to every taxpayer that those who corruptly abused their power to inflict mental and physical pain on children, in their care, without resort to reasonable and fair judgement be named and shamed, irrespective of whether they are dead or alive today. "Seek the truth, come whence it may, cost what it will."
The fact that Bruce Arnold and the Irish Independent continue to bring to light the past errors of those involved in running the industrial schools on behalf of the people of Ireland is of far greater importance than is realised. Tacit media censorship was alive and well, justice was denied, not served.
The majority of the people of Ireland accepted in good faith that there was no sexual abuse in industrial schools and that every cleric was God-like. It is important that the truth of the dark days be publicised.