Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. My beta readers have liked my story, so I’m finally ready for the next step in the process. I will keep you posted on my progress. I may start querying again. We shall see.
But enough about that. Today, I’d like to talk about something serious. I want to talk about the horrible news we received this week regarding the two hundred and fifteen dead children found at the Kamloops Indian Reservation school in Canada. This school was run by the Catholic Church until nineteen sixty-nine. This is the third time I’ve come across major abuse by the Catholic church.
The first time was the movie “Spotlight,” the second was the documentary “The Keepers,” and now this school. It’s heart-breaking what these victims went through. Abuse has long term effects. People learn to self-medicate to deal with the horrors of what happened to them when they were unable to protect themselves.
I’m angry. The Catholic church had so much power they were able to continue abusing students long after people in the community had grown suspicious. They were able to sweep their actions under the rug. In “The Keepers,” it wasn’t until years after the abuse occurred that two women decided to investigate the death of one of their favorite teachers and uncovered it. This didn’t just involve the church it involved the police department as well.
Abuse like this leads to suicide and addiction. It makes me so sad to think of those innocent children and no one was there to protect them. I know we’re more aware of this kind of thing and it’s less likely to happen in today’s world, but the church still needs to be held accountable. After all, the only thing they did was absolve these priests of their sins and move them to another parish where they continued the abuse.
Not one priest went to jail. The church has paid out money, but not to all its victims and not enough. It’s like there’s two sets of laws in our country. One set for us the common man, and one set for the people in power. It’s just like when the bubble burst on the homing market in late two thousand and eight. Not one banker who wrote fraudulent loans went to jail.
This isn’t right and it needs to change. The laws that apply to the common man also apply to the people in power. There’s no other way around it. I’m not sure how to change this. Corruption is always going to be there. There are people willing to take bribes and turn a blind eye when it’s in their best interest.
I’m not sure of the answer. How about you, any ideas on how we can change this? Leave a comment! I love to hear from you!
It’s appalling but we’ve known for years about the abuse the Church perpetrated on Indigenous people in Canada, especially through Residential Schools. And they refuse to apologize, even after the discovery of all those children. It wasn’t just the Catholic Church here though–the Anglican and United Churches were also involved in residential school abuses. It’s heartbreaking and I know there are other residential schools across the country with murdered children buried there–it’s just a matter of time before we find them all.
I’m so sad to hear this, but I do believe it’s true. Unfortunately. I wish there was a way we could make these organizations accountable for their actions. I think they should start from the top and work their way down. It’s the priests in power who’re pulling the strings.
I believe the truth is coming out more and more in religion, politics, the economy, and other areas where it was ‘normal’ to hide it under the rug. Slowly but surely things will change as our awareness changes. We’ve come this far, and change and justice is gonna come. Great post, Lisa!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, Sharon. You’re right, slowly things are changing. I just wish it were faster and more immediate. We’ll get there. I’m sure of it.
I couldn’t agree with you more.
Thanks for stopping by, Lydia! I appreciate your support! 🙂
This is universal issue, Lisa. Everywhere the religion has abused its influence and power. Child abuse, forced sexual favors are nothing new. Even here in India, we come across such happenings.
I know, Arv. It’s not just catholics, but I want the leaders of these religious organizations to be held accountable. Abuse like this does life long damage for many kids. They try to deal with it by becoming addicted to drugs or committing suicide or having life ling emotional problems. I think these organizations should be held accountable and they should do more for the victims who are struggling to get better. Thanks for stopping by, Arv. I always appreciate your insight. 🙂
Lisa, the whole trouble is that such institutions have presented in such a way that questioning them is difficult. They have placed them high as an extension of God. This is a reason they get away. Anyone who questions is treated like a criminal. Keep sharing your thoughts.
Good point, Arv. You are so right. I forget about that sometimes. Thanks for stopping by and reminding me. 🙂
You are welcome, Lisa 🙂