Message of Bethany abuse finally getting through

It is good to see that some reporters and media are starting ‘to get it’ in relation to the treatment of non-Catholics in Ireland today.

It is sad that Victoria White (Opinion, Sept 13) has to point out that it is easier for RTE and other national media to go outside Ireland, rather than deal with the Irish problem of treating the minority Protestant people differently to the majority. Indeed, they do not even realise that they are even doing this.

There is a more important point that is being missed by all reporters in Ireland today.

It is the extraordinary narrative with regard to the Bethany survivors and the 219 children dumped in unmarked graves in Mount Jerome. It should also be noted that on Aug 28, as survivors, we stood by the barren graves of these children, giving respect to the memory of their lives. On that day, as we remembered this horrific period of Irish history, it was very sad and shameful that not even one Protestant church leader (or their associates), was there to offer spiritual or moral support to survivors past and present, or for our just cause.

Ironically, the story of Bethany and that of survivors from other Protestant institutions, is bringing together people from all religious persuasions who no longer want this grotesque history, past and present, to be ignored in their name, irrespective of the lack of leadership from our church leaders.

Derek Leinster

Chairman of the Bethany Survivors Group

Rugby

UK