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Statement
of Archbishop Neary in Support of Home Inquiry
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tuam
June 04, 2014
http://tuamarchdiocese.org/2014/06/statement-of-archbishop-neary-in-support-of-home-inquiry/
Archbishop Neary welcomes the
announcement today of the Minister to establish a Cross-Departmental
Examination for the burial arrangements of Children in Mother and
Baby Homes.
I was greatly shocked, as we all were, to learn of the extent
of the numbers of children buried in the grave-yard in Tuam. I was
made aware of the magnitude of this situation by media reporting and
historical research. I am horrified and saddened to hear of the
large number of deceased children involved and this points to a time
of great suffering and pain for the little ones and their mothers.
I can only begin to imagine the huge emotional wrench which
the mothers suffered in giving up their babies for adoption or by
witnessing their death. Many of these young vulnerable women would
already have been rejected by their families. The pain and
brokenness which they endured is beyond our capacity to understand.
It is simply too difficult to comprehend their helplessness and
suffering as they watched their beloved child die.
Regardless of the time lapse involved this is a matter of
great public concern which ought to be acted upon urgently. As the
diocese did not have any involvement in the running of the home in
Tuam we do not have any material relating to it in our archives. I
understand that the material which the Bon Secours Sisters held, as
managers of the Mother and Baby Home was handed over to Galway
County Council and the health authorities in 1961.
I welcome the announcement today by Minister for Children and
Youth Affairs, Mr. Charlie Flanagan, TD to establish a
Cross-Departmental examination for the burial arrangements of
Children in Mother and Baby Homes. This
will have the legal authority to examine the situation and to
determine the truth. While the Archdiocese of Tuam will cooperate
fully nonetheless there exists a clear moral imperative on the Bon
Secours Sisters in this case to act upon their responsibilities in
the interests of the common good.
The Diocese will continue to work with the Sisters and the
local community to provide a suitable commemorative prayer based
memorial service and plaque and to ensure that the deceased and
their families will never be forgotten.
It will be a priority for me, in cooperation with the
families of the deceased, to seek to obtain a dignified re-interment
of the remains of the children in consecrated ground in Tuam.
May the Lord’s infinite mercy console all who have
suffered and bring healing to their loved ones.
Ends
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