It is not my blog.

It is not Kevin’s blog.

It is not Tony’s blog.

It is not Gearambo’s blog.

It was,  and still is,  a blog that is, primarily, for the many that went to the Comboni Missionary, Junior Seminary,  at Mirfield.

Do you want it to carry on.

Do you have things you want to write.

Are there others that have not contributed to it, but still want it to carry on.

We need to know.

Mark Murray

Hi fellow friends who went to Mirfield,

Thank you to Mark and others who have highlighted the abuse that took place at Mirfield.

It has always stuck in my mind what happened to me. I was told one night when getting ready for bed to go to see Fr Valmaggia in my pyjamas. The boy who told me had a smirk on his face (funny how you remember these details). On going he weighed me, then told me to take off my pyjamas and lie on my back on his couch. He played with my privates and I remember him asking ‘Did you know that one of your testicles is bigger than the other?’ I didn’t answer and since then have wondered if that was a physical abnormality which would affect me but was afraid to ask about it.

Best wishes to all fellow students,

This post has been written on behalf of Boy X

Why keep this  Comboni Missionaries Blog going.

The question is there for all to answer.

I have recently spoken with someone who went to Mirfield.

The man I spoke to was abused  at Mirfield.

His answer was simple, so simple that in one sentence he summed why the Mirfield Blog, in his opinion, should carry on.

“IT HAS HELPED ME TO OPEN UP TO MYSELF”

Best to all,

Mark Murray

The first post on Comboni Missionaries Blog was written by Kevin Deignan in August 2011.

Kevin, Tony Edwards and myself  never believed, back then, that in July 2015 there would still be an interest in what was being posted and the comments that were being written.

I believe that it has been a useful tool in helping and supporting other people, not just old boys from Mirfield, but many others. The Blog has enabled the many, who have spent their lives blighted by childhood abuse,  to see that they are not alone, and more importantly, it has given them the strength and courage to speak out about the abuse that happened to them as children by adults.

Has the time come to close the Comboni Missonaries Blog.

Should the Blog take another direction. Should it have another agenda. Is there anyone that wants to discuss this. Is there anyone who wants to take over as an administrator.

Your thoughts would be appreciated not only by me, but also, I am sure, by the many that read it.

It has had an enourmous positive imact on my life.

Thanks to all who have played a part in this Blog it is because of you all that it has been so successful.

Mark Murray

I went to Verona and sat with  Nardo.

Look at me.  Nardo was not able. Look at me. Look at me. Look at me. Look at me.

He said I am not worthy.

I said to another, a big Comboni, look me in the eye, he too was not able.

Go away and do not come back.

Where do you go now.

This morning I read   the article that I have copied  below.

It seems to sum up, and explain the reasoning behind, at least for me, all the brick walls that I, and,  I am sure, many others, have been up against for  years.

As a group we wanted, and still want,  an open and honest dialogue with the Comboni Missionaries about the abuse that happened to us and to many others at  Mirfield.

The CM’s  have never been willing, or able, to engage in any open and truthful dialogue with the “Mirfield 12 Group.”

The article below highlites what I never really wanted to believe.

Surely those Combonis, that have – as the article states – “a moral compass,” that relates to their lives; the positive work that they do,  and the seemingly corrupt attitudes that their superiors apparently posses can do something to initiate fundamental change within their  Comboni Order.

Mark Murray

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

“The Catholic Church is a corporation that runs exactly like any other. It has a chief executive – the Pope – regional managers – the cardinals – its own finance department, its own insurance company, a huge international property portfolio and pays minimal tax. It functions as a powerful political pressure group, it has representatives in national parliaments, a massive art collection throughout the world, and diminished social responsibility. Finally, it possesses an enviably large group of customers. Like all corporations it goes into immediate denial when found to have engaged in wrongdoing. When further pressure is placed on it, it begins to offer some reparation while admitting no liability. When subjected to substantial external investigation it still continues to deny anything other than partial culpability and offers a little more financial and other succour to appease the wounded. Like all corporations its aim is survival and riches for its top management. Fortunately, some of its employees at the lower level have a strong moral compass, but this is never enough to alter the basic imperative of survival motivating the corporation as a whole. This is why it has been so difficult for the victims of sustained abuse to gain justice.”

Greg Bailey, St Andrews

I met a person last week, who said to me:

…..if I am waiting for an apology relating to the abuse that men suffered as children at Mirfield,  Comboni Missionary Seminary, I will be waiting for a long time,  and the wait will be in vain.

Another person who believes he has God On His Side.

Mark

A man who thinks he has God on his side.

A met a very arrogant man this week

He told me: “In  a life of seventy five years –  I was the first person that had ever called him arrogant.”

He refused to look.

He refused when I asked him to look.

He could not look at me.

He was too arrogant to look at me.

…or maybe he was too frightened to look at me

There’s a thin line between Confidence and Arrogance… Its called Humility. Confidence smiles. Arrogance smirks. – Unknown

John, I  am glad that you found the Mirfield blog,  and you have now been able to leave  a message for your friend Martin – who  was also a seminarian  at Mirfield.

Which Martin is it, although your comment has been posted, I could not find it and I do not know the Martin in question.

John, I do not recall  you at Mirfield.  I think you may have been at Mirfield before my time.  However, there are, I am sure, many who will remember you – if so I am sure they will make contact with you through the blog.

Best wishes John,

Mark

send comments to John through the blog