A Life Destroyed, Ulster Gazette, January 18, 2011

A Life Destroyed

Ulster Gazette
January 18, 2011

http://www.ulstergazette.co.uk/articles/news/18676/a-life-destroyed

Abuse victim, Dr Rosaleen Rogers (centre) with her husband, Roy have set up the Templemore Forgotten Victims Group to help to have victims of sexual abuse remembered. The couple attended the Apostolic Visitation in the Armagh City Hotel on Thursday.

A MARKETHILL woman pleaded with Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor and his colleagues to go back and think of their religion during last Thursday evening's public meeting on clerical abuse in Armagh.

Reatha Hassan OBE said the life of her friend Dr Rosaleen Rogers, who just minutes earlier had given a personal account of her abuse, was destroyed as a child.

“I think religion is very important in times of trauma," she said.

“I'm treated like a piece of dirt - those are the words Rosaleen constantly used," Ms Hassan revealed.

“Please, please, go back and think of your religion. This lady's life has been destroyed as a child.

“She was led to believe she was to become a nun. I'm with her today and I've known her 12 years.

“All victims of abuse need recognition and respect," Ms Hassan said.

Dr Rogers, who lives in Newtownabbey, had told the packed gathering how she has been dealt a huge blow after being told she only had 12 months to live, as a result of injuries received while in a mental institution.

The 66-year-old bravely spoke of how she believes the Catholic Church needs to distance itself from the Irish Government.

Dr Rogers had in her possession a medical report, dated November 1960, which detailed the injuries she received during a three-year stay at the Tipperary based unit.

“My report notes show I had to have x-rays of both kidneys, my bladder and uterus. I am awaiting surgery on my uterus and I've been given 12 months, if I don't get it."

Dr Rogers said she ended up in the institution between the ages of 16 and 19, because her father had stolen food for his family and was sent to jail.

“We got no reference from the priest, so my father could not find work and had to join the British Army. I was put into a mental unit.

“I was sexually assaulted by a male nurse in the mental institution. We were locked in all the time - I did try to run away and was brought back and put into the punishment block.

“In 1960 I was put into a coma and it damaged my stomach. When I eat food, it won't relax so I'm constantly sick. I lost two girls on a drugs experiment in the 1960s. We all weighed four stone and sadly the other two girls didn't make it. Their last words to me were - 'It's too late for us'.

“I blame the church. It was the local Bishop who gave a licence for all the CIA drug trials - we even had to drink diesel.

“There should be a public inquiry and a truth commission. I've spent my whole life waiting for tonight," she said.

Dr Rogers' husband Roy, who is originally from County Cavan and who served in the Armed Forces, broke down as he recalled how his beloved wife suffers every day and night from the aftermath of the injuries she sustained. She can't hold food down and is sick every night. I wish someone would do something to help the victims.

“There is so much abuse going on in Northern Ireland, Southern Ireland and across the world. I wish to God it would all stop," added a tearful Mr Rogers.