All churches ‘bastardised’ children

Patrick Kelly’s letter (January 31) on behalf of his — in his words — “bastard father,” and those like him who were castigated by Church pulpiteers and others, (1916, Granard, in his case) bears reflection.

It was not just the Catholic Church, but the several churches, and these, in combination with the State and the establishment and gentry, who slurred children born out of wedlock and their mothers.

Church directories show that Magdalen Homes were not merely Catholic Church establishments; they were collaborative, endorsed by society to penalise unorthodox behaviour.