of ‘significant quantities of human remains' in a number of underground chambers,

delivers both public outrage and the beginning of justice for the many lost children and the vilified women who bore those children.

The work of the Irish Mother and Baby Homes Commission, has confirmed the long-held and the sometimes challenged work of one local researcher, Catherine Corless, that the site was of significant interest in the pursuit of information in relation to the operation of the Bon Secours Mother & Baby home.

The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, stated that babies had been treated like ‘some kind of sub-species’.

The Irish Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone stated that the find was ‘disturbing’ and that:

“Up to now we had rumours. Now we have confirmation that the remains are there”.

The find in 17 out of 20 underground chambers, found that the remains of children ranged from 35 weeks up to three years old.

This terrible discovery has a long fuse and is rooted firmly in the scandal of the Magdalene Laundries. For many decades, both Church and State colluded in the removal of young women from their families on the pretext of them being out of control or for being pregnant. The operation was confirmation that the Irish State was to be modelled on an idyll; it was nothing more than social engineering.

Decades of denial and enquiries produced the most emotional statement made by any Irish politician, when Enda Kenny apologised on behalf of the State to the Magdalene Women, describing the State’s actions as a ‘National Shame’.

In many respects it paid respect to the Irish Declaration of Independence in which the aspiration of equality and respect was expressed:

“The Republic guarantees religious and civil liberty, equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens, and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and of all its parts, cherishing all of the children of the nation equally”.

I have no doubt that in the coming days and weeks, we will hear justification phrases being offered, to support or to understand the past actions of a Religious Order or a State’s actions, that ‘this was the ways things were done - it was the times'. Such expressions simply add sympathy and a perimeter around those who perpetrated abuse on the women, children and the families of the women; we must not provide these people with words that offer succour, comfort or sympathetic understanding without justice first being delivered to the Woman, Babies and Families of this Magdalene system.

Disturbing news from Rome this week has also revealed that the last lay member of the Vatican’s Commission for the Protection of Minors, Marie Collins, has resigned. In addition, as news from Tuam has broken, a US-based Catholic Organisation (The Catholic League for Religious & Civil Rights) has commented on the Tuam Babies find, under a photo banner ‘Extra! Extra! Read all about it. Fake News!’ offering such commentary as:

“It was a lie in 2014 and it is a lie in 2017…Mass graves. Sexually assaulted women. Children stolen. It is all a lie. It’s about time this non-stop assault on truth and the Catholic Church stopped before no one believes anything the media tell us anymore about all matters Catholic”.

Whilst I would defend their right to comment, this dystopian mirror on the present, ignores the substantial evidence gathered and political commentary provided, which I fear will be added to in the years to come. As a christened Catholic I have no fear that a Church that represents billions of souls, wielding immense power and influence, will not only weather such storms, but it is more than capable of delivering justice for the wrongs committed in its name; it is perfectly capable of defending itself. It can however deliver justice in Ireland by offering its repentance, providing reparation and reconciliation, openly and transparently. It should begin by throwing the doors open to information held by the Religious Order’s which will shine a light upon the hypocrites that hide behind the Church’s patronage.

I have no doubt that some, possibly even the Catholic League, will pour scorn upon my words and the obvious evidence that lays evidently before them; asking how I could possibly know about such matters? That’s simple; my Father was a Magdalene Child.

(First Published on 7 March 2017)