Hi Degs here,

Here are a few of my random memories concerning our outward bound endeavours.One name that springs to mind is Francis Hollahand.One winter ascent of Helvelyn we had to carry him from the summit with hypothermia primarily   because his walking boots had no tongues and let in snow. Another name to play with is Gerald Duffy he was part of a group that I was with that attempted a gold expedition in November, much against the advise of the inspector who came out from Kendal and stated that we were either stupid or real tigers to be going on the Lakeland fells at that time of year . After several mishaps,including losing one of our party on some fells called the hundreds above Ambleside in the dark, we abandoned our attempt and pitched our frozen tent in a farmers field where we were retrieved the following day.(real tigers)

The lads that supervised us from the centre in Dewsbury were fun if a little harsh.I remember one of them giving us a warning about using petrol to start a fire,which he then proceeded to do . The petrol can ignited, he dropped it and covered himself in burning fuel. Then there followed a quick lesson in how to extinguish a burning human.

Next instalment canoeing on the Calder(Francis features in another near death experience ) Photo is me(hanging)Gerald  Meen?(rear) Francis Hollahand?(on the floor) either Mitch or Gerry McLaughlin on the left .If you know any different let me know All the best Degs

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Hi Degs here again with another intermittent  post

I may not be posting regularly but I am still managing to visit the site on a more regular  basis.It is pleasing to see that more MOB,s are contributing and commenting .However what you don’t  see are the viewing audience that some days can be well in excess of 100, giving us one viewer every 10 minutes or so .People are still interested in what is being said so don’t think that we aren’t being listened to. As well as that the audience is global,lets just say that it would be easier to list the countries where we don’t have watchers.

I hope that people have seen Tonys YouTube entries slightly before  my time but fascinating ,what a great collection of visual memories .Judging from the response so far it looks like the reunion is on its way to being another great success.I am looking forward to meeting and talking face to face with all the MOBs who have shown interest in the blog.(by the way Martin I play the banjo and the bodhran ,the two most unwelcome instruments in any session ,badly.So how about a bit of a jam then ??) It will be good to see everyone. Perhaps after a few beers we may be able to persuade  Mick and Eamon to carry on for one more.

There was an interesting piece in the Guardian about the popes decision to retire by Jonathan Freedland  .The crux of which was this “Benedict did too little to deal with sex offenders in the priesthood. He must be held to account- in this life not the next”

Here are two extracts from the article

When he was the archbishop of Munich, in 1980, the case of  Peter Hullerman crossed his desk. Fr Hullerman was accused of multiple crimes of abuse. In one case he had taken an 11 year old boy hiking in the mountains, plied him with drink, stripped him,locked the door  and forced him to perform oral sex.Yet Hullerman’s punishment was simply to be moved from Essen to Munich for therapy.Within days ,this known sexual predator was given pastoral duties with access to young people-and he promptly abused again.Benedict’s defenders have long insisted those fateful decisions were taken by his deputy .But the crucial documents,when they surfaced, said  otherwise.

The case of California priest Stephen Kiesle , convicted of tying up and molesting two boys in a church rectory.His superiors wrote to Rome in 1981 requesting the abuser be defrocked, warning of a scandal if he remained.After an initial request  for more information,Ratzinger took four years to deliver his reply.It came in Latin-and said his office needed more time to consider the case.No doubt grateful for the delay,Kiesle was able to return to one of his former parishes-in the youth ministry.

Dose this ring any bells with anyone ?There are several more examples even more outrageous it is well worth a read.

All the best Degs

The following post by A. Dean  highlights just how difficult and frightening  it can be for victims of sexual abuse to speak up and pursue a case against their abuser.

It is a very difficult and, at times, a   lonely path to take. However, as A. Dean wrote,  “the fight for justice can nevertheless be one worth waging – strength and solidarity are contagious, and future generations of children are protected.”

Less than a week after being cross-examined in Manchester Crown Court during the trial of Michael Brewer and his ex-wife Hilary (Kay) Brewer, violin teacher Frances Andrade was found dead at her home in Surrey of an apparent suicide. Her death was revealed to the court on 24^th January, without the jury present. Mrs Andrade had been a pupil at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester in the 1970s, where Michael Brewer was Choirmaster. Michael and Hilary Brewer have since been convicted of sexually abusing Mrs Andrade when she was 14 and 15.

Mrs Andrade’s son, Oliver Andrade, has shone a harsh spotlight on the justice system since his mother’s death, describing how being called a “liar” and a “fantasist” in front of the court was “more than even she could bear”. He criticized the court practice whereby Mrs Andrade was not given sufficient time to prepare with the barrister assigned to her case: “Being a case of the Crown Prosecution Service they had a barrister and [Mrs Andrade] was simply the complainant, not meeting him until the day of the case and talking for a scant 10 minutes outside of the court”. He continued: “this all meant that during the case she was unfamiliar with the process, unsure of what either barrister was trying to do and exceptionally uncomfortable throughout the entire thing.” He also accused the police of advising Mrs Andrade not to receive therapy until the end of the case, which he said deprived his mother of the help and support she needed.

Frances Andrade’s husband, Levine Andrade, has echoed his son’s words, describing how “Fran felt as if she was on trial. She kept saying: ‘I can see why nobody comes forward. I can see how people crack under the pressure’”.

Yet, at the end of the trial Judge Martin Rutland praised all counsel – including Kate Blackwell QC, the defence barrister who questioned Mrs Andrade – for their conduct in the case. Judge Rutland assured Kate Blackwell “You did your job, in that you put what had to be put to the witness”.

In addition, both the Crown Prosecution Service and the Greater Manchester Police have denied having advised Mrs Andrade not to seek therapy until after the trial. Detective Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle insisted that it is the police force’s “policy and practice to encourage victims to seek whatever support they need” and that “the advice to Frances not to seek support may have been given by another party but it was not the advice of Greater Manchester Police.” The CPS has released similar statements.

Yet in the end, a woman considered exceptionally able and intelligent, an accomplished professional and fine mother, took her own life due to the overwhelming pressures of pursing a case against those who had sexually abused her.  This represents not just a tragedy for Mrs Andrade and her family, but for survivors of sexual abuse, a harsh refutation of the idea that the justice system will work for them.

So where was the fault?

This is an important question. There is an exceedingly precarious balance between supportive protection for vulnerable witnesses, and a fair trial for defendants, who are entitled to a thorough testing of the evidence. Striking this balance is often more difficult in historic claims, where evidence may have degraded (witnesses may have died or cannot be found; memories fade), and the cumulative effects of suffering the scars of abuse may make it difficult for claimants to come forward at all, and to withstand the scorching scrutiny that is built into the adversarial system.

While the justice system exists to protect all of society, the fight in individual cases is also for the benefit of those who area victim of crime.  In this case, a conviction was achieved, but the victim was re-victimised in the process, and never witnessed the justice that her bravery and candour made possible. Indeed, we repeatedly see how survivors of child abuse must often battle forcefully to overcome feelings of guilt and shame just to disclose the criminal acts of their abusers for the first time to loved ones – so to be grilled before a court may seem impossibly daunting. Mrs Andrade’s sad death has underlined just how gruelling the road to liberation from childhood sex abuse can be.

But while asking what went wrong, we should not lose sight of the fact that the legal system is not just a place where claims of abuse are picked to pieces – it is also where they may succeed and bring justice, inspiring other survivors in doing so. Mrs Andrade was one of many victims of childhood sex abuse who has appeared in court, and for many, the legal system has delivered accountability and emancipation. Of course, there are multiple paths a survivor of childhood sexual abuse can take towards healing, and not all involve legal redress.  But Mrs Andrade’s death should not be interpreted as proof that the legal system is devoid of hope and support for survivors of child sex abuse.

There are measures in place to alleviate the difficulty faced by vulnerable witnesses. Pre-trial visits are available so that witnesses can become familiar with the court. There is access to witness care officers and specialised counsellors. Additionally, there are special in-court measures available for victims of sexual abuse who testify in criminal trials, for example screens to shield the witness from the defendant; a live televised link enabling the witness to give evidence during the trial from outside of the courtroom; video-recorded interviews; and various other measures. Information from the Crown Prosecution Service about these special measures can be found here.

As we wrote here, 2012 was a year of progress for child protection, and 2013 promises to capitalize on this momentum. The legal system is still the road less travelled for survivors of childhood sex abuse, but for every survivor who chooses it, others are often inspired to take courage, because they see they are not alone.  Though institutions that have enabled abusers may sometimes seem too big a beast to take on, and the legal system too daunting a tool, thousands of survivors have succeeded in bringing claims against their abusers and the schools, care homes, churches and other institutions that allowed them scope to abuse.  The fight for justice can nevertheless be one worth waging – strength and solidarity are contagious, and future generations of children are protected.

Some people think that because the sexual abuse that happened at Mirfield took place such along time ago – in the 60’s and 70’s – the blog only serves to rake up deep and painful suffering for some, and disillusionment to others. This is, unfortunately, probably true for the majority of people that read and contribute to the site. It has been, and still is certainly, the case for me.

Some people, I know, think it is best to do nothing. To do nothing is one option; however, it is an option I have chosen not to take. Many children were abused by various priests in various ways at Mirfield, there is, now, no doubting that.

However, the parents and families of these abused children were also abused. For me, their abuse was about the abuse of friendship, a closeness they felt with the Verona Fathers, of trust, of placing your child, and in some cases, your children, with people you believed could, absolutely, do no wrong, and yet, many did. The instance that is never far from my consciousness is of the priest saying mass in the front room of my parent’s home and then later, being abused, in your upstairs bedroom when you were sick.

My parents are both dead now. My mother died last year. Neither my father nor my mother ever knew anything about the abuse that took place at home or at Mirfield. It would have caused them too much pain and suffering.

To do nothing is not an option I want to take.

A Mirfield boy

Degs here

Sorry for my absence. Busy lambing 1200 ewes (Frankie, if you are watching the site, you and grandson are welcome to visit any time).

Several emails have reached the site which we would like to share with you. The vivid memories, both good and bad, are included below. Thanks to Peter Roman, GK, and Chris Hardaman for sharing their stories.

If anyone out there has opinions, thoughts or simply reminiscence that they would like to share please do. Comments can be left anonymously if you so wish, it is your input that is needed not your identity (although names do bring memories flooding back). You can also email us, like Peter, Chris, and GK have done.

Latest stats show several thousand hits since the blog began, with over 100 hits daily in our busy periods. So people are watching and listening. I would like to thank contributors old and new for their time and effort, producing some strong, entertaining and thought provoking pieces. (Perhaps Mrs Patterson, James Riddle and the other English teachers – whose names escape me – did not do such a bad job after all!!)

The site needs sustenance and diversity so any input would be gratefully received. Once again anyone on the other side of the tracks I would dearly love to hear your take on things. Please if you have any strength of character speak out for hundreds even thousands are listening.

All the best to watchers and contributors.

Degs

Footnote:
Mick Fieldhouse anything happening in 2013?

The stories:

Peter Roman – contributed 31 January 2012

Hi guys

I came across the blog a couple of days ago and found it very instructive and damn interesting.

Reading a lot of names that took me back to that time.

I am one of those that never was “interfered with.” I don’t know why I was spared. It is really enlightening reading some of the accounts on this site, especially as I know that I was there at the same time and knew nothing in any detail. I mean that it was like a sniggering in-joke what Romano and his godsquad got up to, but I only got chinese whispers.

To read that how much that time from long ago has had such an impact on those who had a bad experience is very sobering.

My memories are almost all like a “Boys Own” story… I felt so happy to be free of my loving parents for weeks on end, it was like a big adventure. The college was only 10 miles away from Bradford where I lived and had gone to school and now suddenly I was in class with all these exotic Scotsmen and Londoners.

I knew what a pain Cerea could be but I kind of got on with him, maybe coz I was cheeky to him and he kind of liked that.

Another memory is of Hicks telling us about his history in Belfast and how his home got raided by the Brits one X-mas and how his father and brother were stuck in jail for being Catholic terrorists. That didn’t go down too well at home when I recounted it…

I also remember a young woman French teacher that we had for a short time who wore a mini-skirt and I was always dropping my pencil on the floor… They got rid of her quick.

Mick Fieldhouse, whom I spoke to recently, transcribing the TOP-TEN from the radio at lunchtime in the refectory, coz he could write the fastest, haha.

“And now, new in at Number 1, Chuck Berry and My Ding-a-Ling.”

Gobbing a paper blob through a biro casing and hitting the French teacher on the forehead… I almost crapped myself but she acted as if nothing had happened.

Electrocuting bees in a sink of water with Patrick Gaydeckis’ 90 volt battery.

Gonna stop now because I realise that the more I write the more I remember…

All the best to everyone,
Peter Roman, 1969-1974

GK –  contributed 19 November 2011

I have just found the Mirfield site. I was a student there in the 1960s. My whole time there was one of non-stop abuse from many of the priests, verbal, physical and on two occasions sexual. I even on one occasion had property stolen from me by one of them.

A story of everything I endured there would be very long and horrifying. I had somehow convinced myself that my experiences were unique as no-one else seemed to mention anything similar. However there were very frequent and expulsions with no explanation given, but rumours that the reason anyone who made any complaint against a priest was instantly expelled.

The Rector at the time, Fr. Hierons used to hold a weekly “conference” and it was rare for one of these not to have threats of expulsion. These he said, would be accompanied by bad references, which would ensure that we were not taken back by our previous school and would ensure that when we left school we would never find employment. He was also fond of quoting the gospel that anyone who put his hand to the plough and turned back would not enter the kingdom of heaven. He said that what Jesus meant was that any boy who entered a seminary and left for any reason, including expulsion, would inevitably land in hell when he died. He said that Jesus was so specific about this that no confession, repentance or change of mind could change this. If he expelled you, you would be left uneducated, unemployable and would land in hell. Little 11 year old boys just out of primary school believed this and were absolutely terrified by it, so silence about any abuses by priests was ensured. On one occasion Fr. Hierons expelled two boys (and condemned them to hell by his reasoning) for admitting they were homesick. The vice-rector used to prowl the recreation room stopping and listening in to conversations, had overheard them saying they were missing their family, and had reported this awful crime to the Rector.

There were some decent priests at Mirfield when I was there. Fr. Grace was one of the and very popular with the boys. Fr. Ferracin was another well respected one. Two who were later accused of sexual abuse (one justifiably in my experience) Fr. Pinkman and Fr. Valmaggia were actually well liked, were cheerful and friendly, and seemed more human than the others. However Fr. Ceresoli, now a bishop, is the most cruel and evil man I have ever met, lying and inventing offences committed by boys to punish them for. I could fill a book with this man’s abuse alone. Fr. Ambrogio, the Rector who succeeded Fr. Hierons, is probably the coldest, a man who seemed totally indifferent and uninterested in what was happening to the boys under their care. Others made it clear that they wanted to be missionaries and resented being stuck in Britain (which they still regarded as their enemy, it having defeated their beloved Duce, whom many still openly professed admiration for) and seemed to blame the boys for this so made life miserable for us.

When I first joined all the teaching staff except one were Italians. None of the staff were qualified teachers. We even had two teachers who did not speak fluent English, so you can imagine the standard of education, being taught by unqualified teachers who knew nothing about their subject, but had been ordered by their superiors to teach it, and on top of this did not even speak properly the language they had been ordered to teach in. I very much later learnt that Fr. Hierons had taken a nervous breakdown through being in constant conflict with the Provincial Superior in London (whom I also learnt years later had been removed from the job for financial irregularities) over education standards, and this was the cause of his violent rages and irrational behaviour.

When during the holidays I tried to tell my parents about this I was given a row for criticising priests. They were old fashioned extremely religious types and genuinely thought that God would never allow a priest to do anything wrong, so any criticism of them was not only malicious, but also a serious sin. So I couldn’t talk to my parents about the problem, complaining to any priest about the behaviour of another would result in violent retribution so I was trapped there in absolute misery for six years.

Chris Hardaman – contributed 9 November 2011

A Junior Seminarian,

I was at the Junior Seminary from 1965 to 1970, when I left after successfully completing my o-levels.

Generally I have happy memories of my time at the college, mainly around playing football for the Junior and then senior teams. I always remember being proud to wear the Inter Milan strip which in the late 60’s was quite a novelty. I also remember winning a lot of matches both league and cup. It was a part of my life which made me the person I am today.

However, there was a dark and sinister side to the school which I guess will remain forever hidden or forgotten. I now choose my words carefully.

I “survived” 5 years and unusually became stronger because of it. I have been married for over 30 years and have two adult children, who are presently traveling the world and living their lives to the max. I know what happened at the college and am happy to face anyone, look them in the eyes and recount what happened almost on a daily basis.

The abusers I neither think of nor consider. I assume most of them have passed away, but to me they were pathetic, inadequate people. I told the Rector when I was in my last year at the seminary what I thought of the school and the community. I was asked to leave the college, only allowed to return to sit my GCEs.

I am happy to discuss any of the above with any former Midfield boys or, for that matter, any “officials.”