IRELAND
One in Four
The Irish Times
The role of the vow of obedience taken by Sisters of Mercy in how industrial schools were run was queried at a public hearing of the investigation committee of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse yesterday.
Noel McMahon, senior counsel for the committee,quoted article 28 of the sisters' constitution: "The Sisters of Mercy are always to bear in mind, that by the vow of obedience they have for ever (sic) renounced their own will and resigned it to the direction of their Superiors.
They are to obey the Mother Superior, as holding her authority from God . . ." He continued with article 29: "They are to execute without hesitation all directions of the Mother Superior, whether in matters of great or little moment, agreeable or disagreeable . . ."
Sr Margaret Casey, leader of the Sisters of Mercy Western Province, said it was not accepted or the norm to complain to a person in authority about how a place was run. "It would show an inability to cope with the religious life," she said.