Duggan - Safeguarding Coordinator asserts “there is no evidence to suggest that the Bishops ... had any knowledge". Has he checked his facts?

One of the survivors of the abuse perpetrated at St Bede’s College during the 1950s and 1960s has kindly forwarded a copy of the letter shown above together with a copy of the letter he sent originally to Father O'Sullivan. He has made these available to give others an opportunity to see for themselves the nature of the responses received by those who contact the Diocese of Salford about their experiences at St Bede’s.

The contents of the reply – and most especially the assertion that “there is no evidence to suggest that the Bishops or any of those in senior office within the Diocese at the time had any knowledge of the concerns you raised” - should, perhaps, be considered alongside a number of salient facts.

These include:

· The fact that Bishop Geoffrey Burke, who retired on 31st July 1988, was according to the website of the Diocese of Salford (see http://www.salforddiocese.org.uk/former-bishop/bishop-geoffrey-burke )

o “at St Bede’s College from 1940 until 1967, becoming in turn professor, Headmaster and Rector.”

o “Appointed auxiliary Bishop of Salford and titular Bishop of Vagrauta, he was consecrated by Bishop Holland on 29th June 1967.”

o “resided at Cathedral House in Salford and took a very active role in the administration and work of the diocese.”

• The fact that another survivor, who has identified himself privately and is referring to events that took place in the 1950s, reports that “After the worst and last incident … my father … confronted the bishop and Duggan in his study. But it was still a 'no-win' situation as I left the school with my father and the horrible Geoff Burke told everyone … I had 'been expelled for bringing the reputation of the school into disrepute'. And Duggan carried on till 1966 protected by the church.” (see http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5504951114233652085&postID=3638674777010711981 ).

·         The fact that Father O’Sullivan, himself, can be heard very clearly on the
audio-recording available at http://www.mediafire.com/?se3udyzz3jql7gr,
saying “I've been a priest for 23 years. I've heard stories for 23 years
about Duggan; on the golf course or on retreats". 

The original letter of 25 March 2011 to which Father O'Sullivan was responding included the questions and statements given below (NB. Some information from which family members could be identified has been omitted.)

“Dear Father O'Sullivan

… In the 1950's, myself and elder brother, ______ unfortunately and with a great amount of reluctance were sent as boarders to St Bede's. I was about 12 years of age at the time of my "hurt" which I suffered at the evil hands of Duggan, for such a small misdemeanour that I had done. For legal reasons, I won't enlighten further at this stage.

… Father O’Sullivan, could you give me your views on why, as our days as boarders at St Bede's were marred in such a manner, none of the priests ever highlighted this evil man. It beggars belief the naivety of those priests.

The next question I would like to put to you father is this; I cannot for the life of me believe that there were not people in higher places who installed this evil man from a priest to a monsignor, did they not know what he was? The hypocrisy and pomp that they afforded him sickens me to the core. His endorsement to such a high stature is unbelievable and in some ways the people responsible for this are, in my view, as bad as him. Father, this might seem to you to be very bitter of me and my feelings, but I am sorry, it is how I feel.

The third question I would put to you is this; do you believe that Duggan would have been forgiven by God for the wrongdoings that he did to hundreds of young boys all those years ago? Well I don't and I hope that if there is a Hell, he is on top of the fire keeping in inflamed, as he deserves it.

Father, I could go on and on regarding the depravity that I witnessed during my stay at St Bede's but, for legal reasons, I will not at this stage reveal further.

My final question to you at this stage would be; did you, as an adolescent in your young days at school, ever experience the groping hands of your elders? Those days that should have been the most memorable and happiest days in a child's life, instead of the Hell that I experienced and recall.

I can tell you that my academic years became a blur, with no positive results of achievement what so ever. I lost interest in everything attached to St Bede's, which is very sad. I can tell you that I became the embarrassment of my whole family. My siblings attained wonderful results in their academic years, with all of my sisters becoming successful _______. My brother, ______ became a very respected and sought after _____. So you can see, the family were not idiots or failures. Only through hard work and determination, becoming a tradesman running my own _____ company did I achieve some success in life.

Father, I hope that you will respond urgently to my letter as I have already read of a person who was interviewed by you and has had very little response in nine years.”