Seanad debates
Wednesday, 8 October 2003
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Statements (Resumed).
The Catholic Church has paid a large price for the actions of some of its members. The fact it is on its knees in Ireland and the United States – the Archbishop of Boston has resigned – is a big enough price to pay. There is no doubt that the religious congregations contain some very good people. The hospitals that were managed by nuns were brilliantly run. The ladies who were in charge of training colleges and hospitals did an outstanding job at a time when women in Ireland had little chance of being involved in management, organisation or business. It should be remembered that not everybody was an abuser. Senator Mansergh does not realise how many young people were abused. His contribution gave the impression that only a few people were abused. Some 2,900 complainants, not a small figure, have made themselves known to the investigation committee. The relatives of the complainants should also be taken into consideration.
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