C
Cathoholic
Guest
The Irish woman who exposed abuse of nuns by priests 25 years ago
Report by Clare sister claimed such abuse took place in 22 countries, including Ireland
about 15 hours ago
Patsy McGarry
Sr Maura O’Donoghue, a Medical Missionary of Mary from Kilfenora, in Co Clare
Reports last week Pope Francis said the Catholic Church has faced a persistent problem of sexual abuse of nuns by priests and even bishops, seem to have taken many people by surprise.
Speaking to reporters on the flight back to Rome from his trip last Tuesday it was the first time Pope Francis publicly acknowledged the issue, although it is not new.
Catholic nuns have accused clerics of sexual abuse in recent years in India, Africa, Latin America, and a Vatican magazine last week mentioned nuns having abortions or giving birth to the children of priests.
Indeed, 25 years ago an Irish nun prepared an extensive report for the Vatican on just such abuse of nuns internationally by priests. It was shelved. . . .
. . . She referred to a 1988 incident in Malawi where leaders of a women’s congregation were dismissed by a bishop when they complained that 29 nuns had been made pregnant by diocesan priests, and reported another case where a priest took a nun for an abortion during which the sister died. He officiated at the nun’s requiem Mass.
Sexual abuse of nuns by priests was taking place in Botswana, Burundi, Colombia, Ghana, India, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Tonga, Uganda, the United States, Zambia, Zaire and Zimbabwe, she said. . . .