UNITED KINGDOM
Bedfordshire on Sunday
Written by STEVE LOWE
AT long last there could be hope for those historically abused at a former Catholic boys home.
The Government, under pressure itself, is setting up an inquiry into historic abuse.
And the current Pope has also promised to listen and act on allegations of abuse by Catholic priests. St Francis Home, in Shefford, took boys from across the county and wider, where, instead of being cared for, they were systematically abused, both physically and sexually.
While we have been reporting this for more than a decade, so far no arm of the Establishment has taken any action.
They told us of a paedophile ring, which we reported and the Establishment ignored. They told us that at some homes, not necessarily St Francis, boys were ‘hired out’ to paedophiles, some of whom were high ranking and famous, which we reported and the Establishment ignored.
This newspaper also demonstrated that Savile visited the home. Two did take legal action and won out of court settlements. And many of them are currently taking out a class action against the Catholic Church. The police are also investigating claims of abuse, for the third time, but it does not look hopeful.
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