So many important things come in threes. Like the Trinity, which I learnt about as a good Catholic boy reading his catechism some 60 years ago.
So decided to post a third item today as it follows on from what I've just written at http://millstonesblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/criminal-investigation.html about my contact with the police.
On 10 January this year I received a phone call from a Bro Gibson in Dublin. It turned out that he had been investigating the case which I had brought to the attention of Archbishop Nichols almost a year ago. All I could do was to repeat my story of what had happened at the Christian Brothers' Prep School in Cricklade, to which Bro Gibson responded with a natural sympathy.
He emailed me the same day the following letter:
Dear Mr Downes,
Further to our conversation this afternoon, I just want you to know that I rang Wiltshire Police, informing them of my motive for contacting them: to report your allegation of abuse. They took down my details and told me that they would add them to the file they had already compiled in the light of your own reporting to them. They said that they may contact me in the future, depending on the progress of their investigation.
I want to express my deep regret for the pain and suffering you experienced while at Prior Park and which you reported to the Christian Brothers. It makes for very sad reading.
Should you wish to contact me furher [sic], I have already given you my contact
details. In the meantime, may I wish you every blessing and good wishes.
With kind regards
David Gibson (Brother)
I replied two days later, with an invitation:
Dear Brother Gibson
Thank you for your phone call and for your kind and sympathetic email expressing your regret over my case. It is much appreciated.
The ideal of the Christian Brothers is a noble one, and it is a shame that the Congregation's reputation has been harmed by the actions of a few psychologically disturbed individuals.
Recognition that wrong was done in the past to innocent children, and transparency in acknowledging these cases of clerical child abuse, have been long overdue. This new attitude must surely help to cast the Catholic Church in a more positive light.
For the past year I have tried to investigate such cases involving Christian Brothers in UK schools. As I am sure you know, many websites have been started with a similar theme. Often the tone of such contributions is shockingly abusive, and unjustified, in postings by both accusers of the Christian Brothers, and by their defenders.
I set up a site called Millstones, on Facebook. I hope that it is more measured in tone. If you would like to join the group I would be delighted. Just type Millstones into the search box, and request to join. I believe you are on Facebook yourself.
Thank you again for your cooperation with Wiltshire Police, and for your kind phone call.
Yours sincerely
Michael
Bro Gibson, who, it seems is quite senior in the hierarchy of Christian Brothers, has had much experience of the history of allegations levelled at the Congregation, as I found when I clicked on sites such as http://www.alliancesupport.org/news/archives/000108.html
So decided to post a third item today as it follows on from what I've just written at http://millstonesblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/criminal-investigation.html about my contact with the police.
On 10 January this year I received a phone call from a Bro Gibson in Dublin. It turned out that he had been investigating the case which I had brought to the attention of Archbishop Nichols almost a year ago. All I could do was to repeat my story of what had happened at the Christian Brothers' Prep School in Cricklade, to which Bro Gibson responded with a natural sympathy.
He emailed me the same day the following letter:
Dear Mr Downes,
Further to our conversation this afternoon, I just want you to know that I rang Wiltshire Police, informing them of my motive for contacting them: to report your allegation of abuse. They took down my details and told me that they would add them to the file they had already compiled in the light of your own reporting to them. They said that they may contact me in the future, depending on the progress of their investigation.
I want to express my deep regret for the pain and suffering you experienced while at Prior Park and which you reported to the Christian Brothers. It makes for very sad reading.
Should you wish to contact me furher [sic], I have already given you my contact
details. In the meantime, may I wish you every blessing and good wishes.
With kind regards
David Gibson (Brother)
I replied two days later, with an invitation:
Dear Brother Gibson
Thank you for your phone call and for your kind and sympathetic email expressing your regret over my case. It is much appreciated.
The ideal of the Christian Brothers is a noble one, and it is a shame that the Congregation's reputation has been harmed by the actions of a few psychologically disturbed individuals.
Recognition that wrong was done in the past to innocent children, and transparency in acknowledging these cases of clerical child abuse, have been long overdue. This new attitude must surely help to cast the Catholic Church in a more positive light.
For the past year I have tried to investigate such cases involving Christian Brothers in UK schools. As I am sure you know, many websites have been started with a similar theme. Often the tone of such contributions is shockingly abusive, and unjustified, in postings by both accusers of the Christian Brothers, and by their defenders.
I set up a site called Millstones, on Facebook. I hope that it is more measured in tone. If you would like to join the group I would be delighted. Just type Millstones into the search box, and request to join. I believe you are on Facebook yourself.
Thank you again for your cooperation with Wiltshire Police, and for your kind phone call.
Yours sincerely
Michael
Bro Gibson, who, it seems is quite senior in the hierarchy of Christian Brothers, has had much experience of the history of allegations levelled at the Congregation, as I found when I clicked on sites such as http://www.alliancesupport.org/news/archives/000108.html
This was his reply, emailed to me the same day:
Dear Michael,
Thank you for your email and for your measured reflection on the sorry situation of child abuse in the Catholic Church. Certainly, child abuse raises many painful memories and feelings, and it is understandable when sometimes these feelings are expressed in rather raw ways. However, I hope that eventually some form of healing will lead people to a place where they can begin to integrate the pain and suffering into a life that becomes one that is compassionate and forgiving. But it takes time.
I will look at your Millstones and look forward to seeing how you present your message.
With kind regards
David Gibson
I am sorry that Bro Gibson has not taken up my invitation to join the Millstones site. I don't think that he would have caused the Congregation of Christian Brothers to lose face or admit guilt by appearing on it along with victims of child abuse. Rather, it would have shown that he and the Catholic Church are now brave enough to embrace the ranks of the accusers and demonstrate not only a new transparency in these matters for the Church but also a bold solidarity with the victims. I think it might have been quite a smart PR move.
Dear Michael,
Thank you for your email and for your measured reflection on the sorry situation of child abuse in the Catholic Church. Certainly, child abuse raises many painful memories and feelings, and it is understandable when sometimes these feelings are expressed in rather raw ways. However, I hope that eventually some form of healing will lead people to a place where they can begin to integrate the pain and suffering into a life that becomes one that is compassionate and forgiving. But it takes time.
I will look at your Millstones and look forward to seeing how you present your message.
With kind regards
David Gibson
I am sorry that Bro Gibson has not taken up my invitation to join the Millstones site. I don't think that he would have caused the Congregation of Christian Brothers to lose face or admit guilt by appearing on it along with victims of child abuse. Rather, it would have shown that he and the Catholic Church are now brave enough to embrace the ranks of the accusers and demonstrate not only a new transparency in these matters for the Church but also a bold solidarity with the victims. I think it might have been quite a smart PR move.
Ah well, it's back to the garden again.
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