We need to work with Church so same mistakes are not repeated

I am writing this in relation to the demonstration that took place on Sept 9 at Assumption Road in Cork City.

The protest called for the resignation of Cardinal Brady.

Firstly, I am a survivor, a second generation one, as my mother and her family were raised in industrial schools.

My uncles, when discharged from the Christian Brothers, were hired as farm hands. When my uncles grew too old to work on the farm, they were put into a mental hospital, where they died.

I myself was raised in a school, then in residential, and then in foster care.

So, if anyone has a reason to be bitter or have a chip on their shoulder, it would be me.

The point I want to make is I am a survivor, not a victim or pity figure. I am a graduate of UCC, I returned to obtain another degree and Masters in Social Policy.

In order for me to move on in my life I’ve come to the conclusion that yes, I was abused, yes my childhood was stolen, but I met a dozen or so great nuns and they taught me to read and write. Yes, I met very sadistic people, but why should I tar all clergy with the same brush?

Not all survivors want to be reflected as victims. I have come too far in my life to be a victim. For us to move forward, survivors need to be empowered, to live worthwhile lives. In order for this, the Church and survivors, excluding the government, (who signed us into the school,) have to find a middle ground to learn from the past.

This protest gave a negative impression to survivors. I was aware of the letter being read at Mass recently. We need to work with the Church so the same mistakes are not repeated.

A group of like-minded survivors have now got together to promote the ideology of ‘consultation not confrontation’, so the healing can begin.

The name of the group is Munster Survivor’s Support Services, and we recently ran the mini marathon to raise funds.

Catherine Coffey

Mayfield

Cork