The full report of the Ryan Commission investigating Child Abuse in Institutions in the Republic of Ireland is available here.

I strongly recommend that you download and read it. Some quotes from the report:

"Physical and emotional abuse and neglect were features of the institutions. Sexual abuse occurred in many of them, particularly boys’ institutions. Schools were run in a severe, regimented manner that imposed unreasonable and oppressive discipline on children and even on staff."

"The deferential and submissive attitude of the Department of Education towards the Congregations compromised its ability to carry out its statutory duty of inspection and monitoring of the schools."

"Complaints of physical abuse were frequent enough for the Department of Education to be aware that they referred to more than acts of sporadic violence by some individuals. The Department knew that violence and beatings were endemic within the system itself."

"Sexual abuse was endemic in boys’ institutions. The situation in girls’ institutions was different. Although girls were subjected to predatory sexual abuse by male employees or visitors or in outside placements, sexual abuse was not systemic in girls’ schools."

"Cases of sexual abuse were managed with a view to minimising the risk of public disclosure and consequent damage to the institution and the Congregation. This policy resulted in the protection of the perpetrator."

"The recidivist nature of sexual abuse was known to religious authorities. The documents revealed that sexual abusers were often long-term offenders who repeatedly abused children wherever they were working. Contrary to the Congregations’ claims that the recidivist nature of sexual offending was not understood, it is clear from the documented cases
that they were aware of the propensity for abusers to re-abuse. The risk, however, was seen by the Congregations in terms of the potential for scandal and bad publicity should the abuse be disclosed. The danger to children was not taken into account."

"A disturbing element of the evidence before the Commission was the level of emotional abuse that disadvantaged, neglected and abandoned children were subjected to generally by religious and lay staff in institutions."

This report is an indictment not only of the Catholic Church and its Institutions, but of the Irish State and Irish Society. Although, for the victims there is at least the satisfaction of having the fact of their abuse acknowledged, this report, cannot be seen as drawing a line under this period of our history. It opens up far too many important questions.

For the Church and its Institutions there are some very obvious questions: "How did we, who claim to be Christians, allow ourselves to ignore the gospel and perpetrate such horrors?" "Why did we cover it up and put the "needs" of our institutions before the needs of our children?" These two questions alone need serious reflection and debate.

Until we seriously address these and other issues, we will not be able to say that things have really changed. Until we really accept what happened within our institutions and accept full responsibility, our "apologies" cannot be anything other than empty words. More importantly, for the victims of these horrors, not only can there be no closure, but we add insult to injury in a most horrendous manner.

As a priest, I say to everyone who has been abused, to everyone whose life has been damaged and in some cases destroyed, we were wrong. You were and are innocent. You were not and are not responsible. By our failure to believe you, and through our efforts to cover up what happened to you, we wronged you in a most profound manner. You had a right to expect the very best from us but we didn't even show you the most basic respect. We cannot undo the wrong we did - you know that better than anyone; and we can only ask your forgiveness when we have shown that we are truly sorry.

Fr. Martin Dolan

The HSE's national counselling service for survivors of abuse may be contacted via the National Freephone information number at 1800 235 234 in working hours on weekdays and 1800 235 235 from Wednesday to Sunday.