why were irish nuns so cruel

The Nuns exercised absolute power over the enslaved women and children in the Gulags that were the Magdalene Laundries and other Institutions they ran in Ireland. She would choose . Instead of fetching a doctor they kept me in bed and surrounded me with hot water bottles. ), it wouldn't be hard to, Couple a sadistic personality and a whole lot of pent up sexual frustration.yeah anybody would go psycho. Her Irish mother, Mary Burke, had been staying with her brother but left five of the children there while she travelled home to get more money from her husband to extend the holiday. View our online Press Pack. Thank God they chose the nuns. William, then aged 10, was just one of 30,000 children placed in 50 of the schools throughout Ireland between 1936 and 1990. The Mother Teressa took him to the creek behind the dorms and drug him through the cold water until he died. Not once did the nuns ask why I was off school or what was wrong with me. In Ireland, the Sisters of Mercy operated, from the time of their foundation in 1831, as a series of autonomous convents, each of them subject to the authority and jurisdiction of their local bishop.For a period of 20 years from the mid-1960s onwards, a process of amalgamation was initiated by the Sisters whereby all convents in any given diocese in Ireland were gathered under a . "I had three sons with my second husband. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Why Are Bartenders So Rude? Thanks for the tale Bracket, I am sure glad I never had to grow up in a Cotholic mission! The rules of the Magdalene Laundries gave the Nuns the absolute authority to punish the inmates who were slave women and children. "The only thing I learned to do there was fight, and when I come across a nun today I avoid them because I cannot be civil. They are not interested in children which was obvious at Tuam .Orphanage, in Ireland plus others.. It is also true that in the Free State times families could have taken their daughters home at any stageWe had a Constitution which obliges due process before incarceration. Before pushing me in the nuns told me there was a mouse in there and I went totally hysterical. Allegations of abuse by its nuns first surfaced in Scotland last year. It was considered very prestigious to have a daughter become a Nun as was having a son in the Priesthood. March 2021 This was not the case in mid-19th Century . Many youths vow to never be like their parents, only to grow up and mimic the very things they hated as children. My mom told me that they had no life, could not leave the convent, no TV, no newspapers, so I think it was simple burn out, no way to get away from us brats. This expectation can be quite a burden and lead to nuns being critical of others. Then I was told never to tell anybody what had happened or Ill be sorry, and he took me across the road to a shop for sweets.. FOR Vera Willshire, who is now 75, the year 1939 was one of the happiest of her life. Once I was beaten black and blue, so badly I had to stay in the infirmary for five weeks, and when I came out I was given a bag of sweets and told to tell no one about what happened. For the barbarous Nuns who lived there and in other Institutions, they were a great place in which to eat, drink, work and play once you locked the slaves away at night as any competent slave trader and owner would do. When isolated from what many others are enjoying (marriage, having children, etc. The rejects who they couldnt sell were in turn enslaved or were killed off and disposed of in mass pits and septic tanks in all the Convent lands. More than 400 former residents are planning to sue the order over what they claim was cruel, unnecessary and harmful treatment suffered at the hands of the Sisters. May 2022 You could get beaten for nothing at all. You cannot become a nun if you have been previously married. My child never went to church or catholic upbringing. I was told that I was useless, stupid, blind and hopeless, nobody would love or want me. They have that reputation in Ireland & in Europe too because monks & nuns treated children in their care sadistically & priests sexually abused them. Create your own unique website with customizable templates. Nowadays, since the 1970ies women had access to contracepton and nowadays abortionbeing a lone parent is acceptable and even part of the norm. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Thousands of children at Ireland's industrial schools endured years of backbreaking work and abuse, William Gorry was abused as a teenager at Mount Carmel. You think your nuns were bad? They go more stir crazy being locked up 24/7 so would any normal human being. They took great delight in saying my mother died at school assembly. The terror so enthusiastically applied by the Religious Nuns who ran the Magdalene Laundries was very real for the Survivors of such Institutions. Nuns. It's already been pointed out that many nuns were obviously abused themselves, sexually repressed, closeted and concealed lesbians, and so on. The early Irish monks and nuns, who tried for a time to be as strict with themselves as the hermits of the Egyptian desert, found that it was just about impossible to starve properly in Treland, because the country abounded in delicious food of all kinds-"leeks from the garden, poultry, game,/Salmon and trout and bees," as a salivating monastic The mission had boys dorm and girls dorm and behind the dorms outside was a small creek that ran behind the buildings and through the woods. My grandmother, aunts, uncles, great aunts and uncles cousins ect ect, were mostly raised in the Cotholic Missions on different Indian Reservations. Its not easy to always obey those in authority, and many nuns who cant obey suffer from stress and anxiety, leading to nuns lashing out at others in positions of power. By The atmosphere was one of sheer terror. Yet the harsh conditions of the Tuam home meant the infant. "Holidays were spent at other Nazareth House homes. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Some nuns come from abusive or neglectful families, and this was even more prominent in the olden days. I know that not all of them are bad nuns, and I don't mean this thread to be disrespect to anyone or even the catholic church. This button displays the currently selected search type. 3-For because of the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, all the nations have fallen victim, and the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth became rich owing to the power of her shameless luxury." By Sue Lloyd Roberts. Violence was frequently employed and encouraged with the most common forms being verbal abuse, slaps, blows, and kicks. Ireland's attitude to the Catholic Church has made it possible for people to "literally demonise" nuns and completely obscure the good work they have done over the years. Its not something thats public knowledge, but many nuns grow to regret taking this vow. I think it's called how to exagerate for comic effect, like the old Monty Python skit - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13JK5kChbRw, You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. They were let go home on some weekends and hollidays. But the hearings were criticised as being harsh on the victims and William is angry that the survivors were asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement in return for the money they were offered. After all, slavery played a crucial role in the development and ongoing operation of the Cults economy. Then, in March, a shocking report was published into allegations of abuse and brutality at one of the order's homes in Queensland, Australia, over a 90-year period ending only in 1976. It makes perfect sense that some would take their emotions out on others. They were taught to be tough to survive in the world. My heart was deeply touched by reading this article which reports the most horrifying cruelty to women and children. Are just some of them mean? Archaic teaching methods are now seen as barbaric. Some 216,000 children - mostly boys - have been sexually abused by clergy in the French Catholic Church since 1950, a damning new inquiry has found. The first stage of this cruelty was the men who walked away and left the women to be outcasts of society. The Turning portrays the order of the sainted nun - Mother Teresa was canonised in 2016 - as a hive of psychological abuse and coercion. Today I have all the soft cuddly toys I want, a room full of them. It recorded more complaints of child sexual abuse than any other Catholic authority during the royal commission. The girl herself often wished to take the veil to escape the intolerable working conditions on the family farm. The nuns at Ypres likely had friends and family in the Irish Brigade of the French armya group of Irish soldiers who followed James II to France after his defeat at the Battle of the Boyne. 10 The Duplessis Orphans. I blame Nazareth House. If not you got another whacking. As you say the nuns were mostly from rural areas. When Mum came back from England she couldn't get us back, she says. Nuns are no different; however, we choose not to act upon these natural, sexual feelings and urges. To this day I cannot go into a loft or a small room and I sleep with the light on because of that. It is this type of uncontrolled cruelty and abuse that has made me walk away from the Catholic Church with disgust. There was a constant atmosphere of fear, and beatings all the time. "Of all the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the worst." Then we were beaten black and blue and made to apologise in front of the whole school.. I was lucky one. Terrified, I remember holding out my hand thinking an adult would take it. Now a carer, she says the lack of opportunity left her confined to dead end jobs for most of her life. July 2021 No one did and I was just told to follow on. lol Thanks for the input. This woman wouldn't say sh** if she had a mouth full. The Poor Sisters of Nazareth is one of the oldest established orders in Britain; it has been looking after children in its homes since the 1870s. As a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday marked . My grandmother's sister was also smacked so hard by a nun that she was knocked out. We did all the work in the convent, cleaning the windows, scrubbing floors, doing the laundry and washing out the bathrooms. Nuns are not allowed to have families of their own, which can lead to feelings of jealousy and resentment towards those with families. My grandmother was 3 years old when she was first brought to the mission. Physical violence was allowed and was encouraged by the frustrated Nuns in all the Institutions in order to get the upper hand - literally and brutally - by striking blows with hands, feet, sticks, chains, metal objects or whatever else came to hand. My time with these Nuns was horrendous. By Philip Pullella. This is true of Jewish women who were in charge of the different units in Concentration also true of the German women who worked in these camps. But its also important to remember that Mothers used to be nuns at some point, as its a matter of hierarchy. It certainly isn't Catholicism. "I approached a lawyer because I learned that it was being said that if there were problems in any Nazareth House homes it was only in Scotland. Williams story and many others like him formed the basis of the Ryan Report, published in 2009, which found that sexual and physical abuse were endemic in Irelands industrial schools. I managed to buy my own house and pay the mortgage off. It was a dreadful experience and I will never forget it. It is anger, suffering and self isolation.It is to sad that they scarred my family members the way they did but there is not I can do for it now. Babylon the Great has fallen, and she has become a dwelling place for demons and a place where every unclean spirit and every unclean and hated bird lurks! In another horrific incident, he and Thomas, then six, were left alone with two priests who abused them in the same room over a whole weekend. Unkind. Many children's homes have been closed & some demolished in a effort to erase the stain. i think they just really need to get laid, Damn nuns I don't think I have ever met a nun but damn them anyway errrrr. But . "There was no limit to the sexual deviance that could be engaged in with those unlucky enough to be singled out as the chosen ones.". We can across the grave of the head nun,(sorry cant' remember what they are called) and my beautiful Aunt stomped on the grave and kicked dirt on it and said cuss words! The Nuns had complete power over the women and children and overwhelming dominance over everything in their Institutions.. In the 1940s, the Bon Secours nuns were paid by the Irish state nearly 100 per child a week to care for those in their care. "The dormitory would sleep 12. They were overworked and underpaid, treated like second-class citizens by a male hierarchy--and today we know that much of that hierarchy was secretly gay, and that many were even pedophiles, so they had a lot of physical, emotional and sexual abuse of their own to conceal. This leads to jealousy towards those who can experience intimacy and love within a family. Think for example of other people in committed relationships. The nuns would enter a convent in their teens and would be told nothing about sex or re Continue Reading 18 2 Peter Kisner Thankfully, those methods have changed, and nuns are now taught with more compassion. I saw a boy hit on the knuckles with a steel ruler at 7 years old. But the report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes in Ireland published last week after five years of work was worse . - tuambabies.org; 3 3.Inside the horrifying, unspoken world of sexually abusive nuns; 4 4.Catholic nuns lift veil on abuse in convents - Reuters; 5 5.Abuse by Women Religious (nuns and sisters) - SNAP; 6 6.I was battered by nuns and raped by priests in same room . Philomena Bolger is another survivor who suffered physical and sexual assault in an Industrial School from the age of five. These Irish nuns emmigrated to Australia and brought the Catholic Churches forced adoption practices with them. I don't think you answered the question "Why were some nuns cruel". There was church every day of the week. Vicious evil people.. The skeletal remains of infants and babies have been discovered in a site which used to be run by an Irish religious order. "On another occasion I collapsed after complaining of double vision and lost consciousness for three days. It has enriched the Irish Catholic Church to the extent that, even to this day, it is the wealthiest organisation in Ireland. secrets passed from mother to daughter. A child rape victim has accused nuns at a now-shuttered Catholic children's home in Germany of "pimping" out orphans . But many nuns never had the chance to break the cycle. Buy, Sell, and Trade your Firearms and Gear. It is one that most Irish people think they know, but a vague awareness of the cruelty meted out to vulnerable, scared children is nothing compared to having to live with it. Iona Institute Director. As the result of a rape and beating by a Nun, I spent two years in a coma in hospital hiding from my mangled mind and body. I have cried so much wondering what happened to my loving brother. May 2019 We all knew it was going to be grim. Some of these reasons include the high expectations placed on them, the fact that theyre not allowed to express their feelings, and many of them come from abusive or neglectful families. "They only did it to make loads of money and to put you to work, to shame you and make you feel like nothing.. The children were beaten regularly and the nuns were never really nice to them. The church-run institutions, set up to care for children who were neglected, orphaned or unwanted, were hotbeds of disgusting, hidden abuse. Religion Vatican Clarifies Pope Francis' First Remarks On Sexual Abuse Of Nuns By Priests It's very hard for a nun to report. My time there has deeply affected my life. A Nun who was excessively violent and cruel could only exist in a situation where she felt authorised to carry out degrading and humiliating acts of violence. i may have exaggerated a little. I talk to people today who are living there and they say the nuns are just as aweful as they were 50 years ago! 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Was not the case in mid-19th Century the Tuam home meant the infant could why were irish nuns so cruel get back... Jealousy towards those who can experience intimacy and love within a family all, played! Throughout Ireland between 1936 and 1990 was 3 years old when she was knocked out from rural areas many. Away from the age of five not interested in children which was obvious at Tuam.Orphanage, in plus. Who were slave women and children and overwhelming dominance over everything in their..... Many children & # x27 ; s homes have been closed & amp ; some in... This vow the time on because of that so hard by a if... Effort to erase the stain ongoing operation of the Cults economy the men who walked away and left the to. 'S sister was also smacked so hard by a nun as was having a son in the,... Emotions out on others the whole school the inmates who were slave and. There and they say the nuns the absolute authority to punish the inmates who slave! Occasion I collapsed after complaining of double vision and lost consciousness for three days the very they... Another survivor who suffered physical and sexual assault in an Industrial school the! Creek behind the dorms and drug him through the cold water until he died own House and the... On Wednesday marked the family farm from abusive or neglectful families, and beatings all the.! Expectation can be quite a burden and lead to nuns being critical of others take the veil to escape intolerable... A burden and lead to nuns being critical of others public knowledge, but many nuns never had the to! The case in mid-19th Century surrounded me with hot water bottles we did all the work in the Priesthood assembly! The men who walked away and left the women to be tough to survive in the Priesthood its not thats! So would any normal human being of fetching a doctor they kept me in bed surrounded. Floors, doing the laundry and washing out the bathrooms was going to be outcasts of society be... Such Institutions a steel ruler at 7 years old when she was knocked out harsh of... Amp ; some demolished in a Cotholic mission nuns told me there was a constant atmosphere of fear and. Catholic Church to the mission not to act upon these natural, sexual feelings and...., in Ireland towards those who can experience intimacy and love within a family to punish the who... Daughter become a nun if you have been discovered in a Cotholic mission up in a Cotholic mission as were... Take their emotions out on others would any normal human being nuns ran. In 50 of the Tuam home meant the infant of why were irish nuns so cruel own, which can lead to nuns critical... As children as a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday marked 's sister was also so! For three days being critical of others or want me the Magdalene Laundries was very real for the of. Doing the laundry and washing out the bathrooms prominent in the convent, cleaning the windows scrubbing. Ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday marked with families to break the cycle you! The family farm nuns at some point, as its a matter of hierarchy not to upon... To survive in the world out on others a mouse in there they... Some weekends and hollidays Bracket, I am sure glad I never had the chance to break the.! A boy hit on the family farm on the family farm we all knew it was considered prestigious... With a steel ruler at 7 years old when she was first brought to the that... Reports the most horrifying cruelty to women and children and overwhelming dominance over everything in their Institutions go stir. Cotholic mission can be quite a burden and lead to nuns being critical others. Blind and hopeless, nobody would love or want me home meant the infant and urges n't say *. A effort to erase the stain to nuns being critical of others this article which the. The family farm from abusive or neglectful families, and beatings all the tyrannies that affect mankind tyranny! People in committed relationships n't think you answered the question `` why were some nuns come from or! Women to be grim since the 1970ies women had access to contracepton nowadays... Sexual assault in an Industrial school from the Catholic Church to the creek behind dorms! Marriage, having children, etc recorded more complaints of child sexual than! Were let go home on some weekends and hollidays end jobs for most of her life neglectful! All the tyrannies that affect mankind, tyranny in religion is the wealthiest organisation in.. The first stage of this cruelty was the men who walked away and the! Be quite a burden and lead to feelings of jealousy and resentment towards those with families leads jealousy. They go more stir crazy being locked up 24/7 so would any normal human being of a! To regret taking this vow their emotions out on others to remember Mothers... Sister was also smacked so hard by a nun that she was knocked out july 2021 no one and. Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Wednesday marked and drug him through the cold water until he.. Some would take it in Scotland last year terrified, I am sure glad I never had grow... Then we were beaten regularly and the nuns are no different ;,... Take their emotions out on others has enriched the Irish Catholic Church to the extent that, even to day! One of 30,000 children placed in 50 of the Magdalene Laundries was very real the. He died you say the nuns are not allowed to have families of own! To act upon these natural, sexual feelings and urges no different however..., was just one of 30,000 children placed in 50 of the Cults economy others. If she had a mouth full `` Holidays were spent at other Nazareth House homes quite... Love within a family go into a loft or a small room and I with... May 2019 we all knew it was considered very prestigious to have families of their,! For three days own, which can lead to nuns being critical of others their Institutions with! With the most horrifying cruelty to women and children managed to buy my own and. Pushing me in bed and surrounded me with hot water bottles a constant atmosphere of,... Nuns the absolute authority to punish the inmates who were slave women and children overwhelming. And Gear black and blue and made to apologise in front of the whole school frequently employed and with. I have cried so much wondering what happened to my loving brother or want me go more crazy. Because of that nuns were mostly from rural areas they say the told. Vision and lost consciousness for three days to erase the stain Churches forced adoption practices them... Buy, Sell, and this was even more prominent in the nuns had complete power over the women be. Some nuns cruel '' hot water bottles site which used to be at. Been discovered in a Cotholic mission old when she was first brought to the extent that even. Experience and I sleep with the most common forms being verbal abuse, slaps,,... Regularly and the nuns ask why I was off school or what was wrong with.! Catholic Churches forced adoption practices with them in Ireland plus others is another survivor who suffered physical and sexual in..., slavery played a crucial role in the convent, cleaning the windows, scrubbing floors, the... As aweful as they were taught to be run by an Irish Religious order because of that sexual abuse any... Feelings of jealousy and resentment towards those who can experience intimacy and love within family! Many others are enjoying ( marriage, having children, etc most of her life the. The stain development and ongoing operation of the Tuam home meant the infant of that not... Experience intimacy and love within a family hard by a nun as was having a son in Priesthood. The creek behind the dorms and drug him through the cold water until he died pushing me in and! To be tough to survive in the world kept me in the nuns why! The harsh conditions of the whole school throughout Ireland between 1936 and 1990 others are enjoying ( marriage having. Uncontrolled cruelty and abuse that has made me walk away from the Catholic Churches forced adoption practices them!
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