Victims call for Papal audience

NORTHERN IRELAND
Derry Journal

A former Derry homeboy is hopeful of an audience with Pope Francis after the Vatican confirmed that his request was forwarded to the Holy Father.

Brian Doherty, who has talked openly about being abused in the Termonbacca Home for Boys under the care of the Sisters of Nazareth, requested an audience with the Holy Father on behalf of Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse (Savia) group.

He told the Journal that he had asked that a large delegation made up of people who suffered abuse while in Catholic-run institutions be granted a meeting with the Pontiff either in the Vatican or in Ireland.

Brian told the ‘Journal’: “I would hope that we could get a group of around 60 people to meet the Pope but even if a smaller number is permitted that would be acceptable. We’ve written letters to the Vatican in the past and never even received an acknowledgment, so we’re hopeful that something will come of it this time around.”

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.