Marie’s true motives

I WAS shocked by Vincent J Lavery’s criticism of Marie Collins (Letters, December 7). His reference to “those people who claim to have been sexually abused” is grossly insensitive.

Ms Collins came to my attention many years ago when she appeared in an RTÉ documentary relating her experience of sexual abuse as a child by a priest in a Dublin hospital. At the time I was struck by her maturity, openness and understanding.

At no stage, then or now, did I ever feel that revenge was a motivating force in her journey. Protection of children and a deep desire to help the Catholic Church become a more caring institution are always to the fore in any debate she participates in.