Church order apologises to victims of child abuse

The head of a Catholic order accused of abusing children in its care has apologised publicly for the first time.

Former pupils of the independent Grace Dieu prep school, near Thringstone, said they were subjected to physical, sexual and emotional abuse by priests from the Rosminian Order in the 1940s and 50s.

Eleven former students are taking legal action.

Eleven men who said they were similarly abused at St Michael's prep school in Soni, Tanzania – also run by the Rosminian Order – are also claiming compensation.

Father David Myers, current leader of the UK's Rosminian brethren, has now acknowledged the abuse.

He said: "I apologise without reservation on behalf of the brethren to all those who have suffered. Such abuse was a grievous breach of trust to them and to their families.

"We are appalled by what was done to them. I and all my brethren are deeply shocked at what has happened and acknowledge our inadequate response."

It is not clear what consequences his apology could have on legal proceedings, which are continuing.

Francis Lionnet, 63, who lives in Montreal, Canada, was a pupil at Grace Dieu from the age of eight and is among those seeking compensation.

He claimed he was beaten as a child and said he saw other boys being abused, including one who was shot with an air rifle.

"When Father Myers first heard of what had happened he flew me to England and offered what seemed like a sincere apology," Mr Lionnet said.

"But he also told me in a letter that we didn't have the moral right to claim compensation and that angered all of us.

"Although he acknowledges the 'inadequate response', it's not clear what that covers, so we carry on as before.

"Our parents were aspirational, middle class Catholics who made big sacrifices so we could get a good start in life.

"That was far removed from what we got and we want our parents' money back with interest."

Another victim told the Mercury he had witnessed severe beatings at Grace Dieu during the 1940s and that he was once asked by a priest to lower his trousers in return for more sweets.

BBC1 programme Breaking the Silence featured accounts from several victims on Tuesday.

It highlighted letters of apology from individual priests and showed secret film of Father Bernard Collins, who taught at Grace Dieu in the 50s, and is among those to have admitted abusing pupils.

Nottingham solicitor Billhar Uppal, who is representing the group, said: "The acceptance of abuse is an inevitable outcome, given that each of the brethren concerned admitted their part and sought forgiveness.

"It is nevertheless welcomed by the former pupils and a step in the right direction, but the apology in itself does not go to heal the very real trauma that's been caused."

Grace Dieu's present principal Charles Foulds has said the incidents "have no relevance to the school of today".

But he said: "Everyone here is very distressed that any child suffered in this place over half a century ago."

 

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