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RELIGIOUS ORDERS HAVE been deemed “defensive” and “shameful” in the wake of the publication of a report into alleged sexual abuse at schools, with calls for them to be compelled to appear at an inquiry into the matter.
A scoping inquiry revealed almost 2,400 allegations of sexual abuse of children in schools run by religious orders. There were 844 alleged abusers in over 300 schools run by 42 religious orders across the country.
According to One in Four, a charity for survivors of child sex abuse, the figures are likely “just a fraction of the reality” of the situation.
There will be a Commission of Investigation established to look at the report and determine what redress should be put in place, if any.
Speaking to media today, Finance Minister Jack Chambers accused the religious orders of being “shameful” over their handling of the allegations.
“I think some of the ways they’ve been quite defensive on this has been shameful,” Chambers said.
“The fact that so many victims have waited for so long and have had to use the process that we’ve had up to this point to have their stories heard and haven’t had any accountability has been shameful.
“That’s why it’s important that the next stage of this, which Minister (for Education Norma) Foley set out, is progressed quickly.”
He said there needs to be “absolute accountability” when it comes to the religious orders and their involvement “over many years”.
“We need to make sure the terms of references are drafted as part of this process, and that that’s at the core.”
Chambers also said the religious orders “need to be involved” when it comes to a potential redress scheme.
“Obviously the legal mechanisms and how that’s done will be for further Government discussion. But no religious order should be left behind as part of this,” he said.
They need to be centrally involved when it comes to accountability and being part of a scheme so victims are central to any decision making process in this.
Meanwhile, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns called for the religious orders to be compelled to appear at an inquiry into alleged decades of sex abuse in schools.
said that previous abuse scandals show that the State “cannot rely on the moral obligations of religious orders to do the right thing – there needs to be a legal obligation”.
“At every turn, church bodies have had to be brought kicking and screaming to the negotiating table when it comes to contributing to redress schemes for survivors,” she said, citing the church’s unwillingness to pay out to survivors of mother and baby homes.
A number people who contributed to the scoping inquiry said they believed that a paedophile ring was operating in certain schools.
Some of the participants who gave testimony alleged that their school had multiple staff members involved in either carrying out or facilitating sexual abuse.
They described their suspicions that certain individuals in those schools were facilitating the abuse of children by other staff members.
In some cases, people said teachers and principals who were not involved in the abuse were aware that it was taking place.
Taoiseach Simon Harris welcomed the scoping report and described it as a “harrowing read”.
It is a shadow of our past that continues to loom large in so many lives, so many families, so many communities.
“It’s really important that we get the structure right and that the next steps are absolutely survivor centred.”
Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman also said the report was a difficult read.
He added: “The detail of sexual abuse of the exploitation of vulnerable young people, of students is just horrifying, and I think that’s why it’s so important that Minister Foley has made the decision, supported by government, to hold a commission of investigation.”
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that the report made for “horrific and hearbreaking” reading.
It represents not only a damning indictment of the religious orders, but a catastrophic failure of the state to protect children.
McDonald added that the commission must deliver truth and justice for survivors.
“The state has a duty to survivors to right this wrong. The Commission of Investigation must be survivor centred,” she said.
“We cannot see a repeat of the mistakes and failures that affected the Commission of Investigation into the Mother and Baby Homes.”
McDonald said survivors and their representative organisation must be consulted in the drafting of the terms of reference of the commission, saying they must be “comprehensive, thorough and ensure that the experience of every survivor is included”.
In a statement, AMRI, the representative body of the Leadership of Missionaries and Religious in Ireland, said it is “deeply sorry that they experienced abuse in religious-run schools”.
“We recognise that we can never know the depth of the pain and suffering survivors have endured and continue to endure.
“AMRI actively worked with those of its members who are involved in running schools to facilitate the fullest cooperation in this Inquiry. We will carefully examine the recommendations and respond accordingly.”
The group also said that religious orders “continue to provide access to safeguarding personnel to support victims and survivors”, as well as funded counselling services.
The Social Democrats, as well as the One in Four charity, are seeking the inclusion of all schools in the inquiry, not only religious ones.
“There’s no reason to say that the culture in other schools was any different. I think it would isolate segments of our community if we didn’t include those schools,” a charity representative said.
She added that the number of people who came forward for the scoping inquiry is likely “just a fraction of the reality” of the situation.
“This area is very underreported, especially in relation to men.”
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