The De La Salle Brothers have apologised unreservedly for abuse and suffering inflicted on children in their care.
The inquiry into historical abuse at a range of residential care homes in Northern Ireland heard senior counsel for the religious order offer the apology yesterday during the second day of oral hearings.
Kevin Rooney QC, for the De La Salle Brothers, said: “Brothers recognise the immense pain and suffering and damage caused to those victims who have been abused.”
He added: “Brothers recognise the sense of betrayal that the victims have experienced and the violation of trust caused by certain brothers within the order. They recognise that there have been failures to protect the victims.
“De La Salle order deeply regrets the acts of some of its members which have irreparably damaged the reputation of the order and undermines the selfless care provided by so many of the brothers in pursuance of their vocation.”
The coming months will not be easy for the brothers or for victims, he told the inquiry.
Further admissions
The inquiry, chaired by Sir Anthony Hart, also heard admissions from senior counsel on behalf of a second religious order. Turlough Montague QC, representing the Sisters of Nazareth, said members of the order were "appalled and shocked" by some of the testimonies that have come to light so far.
The sisters “have already begun their period of reflection on the past”.
“Former residents have come to them over the past number of years to tell them of their unhappiness in their homes and they have been appalled and shocked at the statements of those persons who have come before the inquiry to date to tell of their experiences in their homes,” Mr Montague said.
“I also wish to state on behalf of the Sisters of Nazareth that they recognise the hurt that has been caused to some children in their care. They apologise unreservedly for any abuse suffered by children in their care. They go forward hoping that lessons will be learned not just by them in the provision of care but also by carers generally in society and the wider society at large.”
Moira Smyth, appearing for the North’s Health and Social Care Board, told the inquiry’s chairman: “Where the board failed to meet acceptable standards for the care and upbringing of children in institutions, and that resulted in wrongdoing, the board is sorry and offers its apologies to the individuals concerned.”
Better future
The sharing of experiences and close scrutiny of those in institutions should assist in developing a better future for children who live in residential care, she said.
Short opening statements were also made by representation for other agencies or bodies – the so-called core participants in the inquiry. These include children's charity Barnardos, the Stormont Department of Justice and Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
Learning from past
Claire Bates, for Barnardos, said the organisation was committed to learning from the past.
Francis O’Reilly, representing the Stormont Department of Health, said access by the inquiry to records was granted without hesitation and further assistance would be freely given.
For the Department of Justice, Martin Wolfe pledged "co-operation and openness", adding that a collegiate response by all "core participants" would help ensure the inquiry met its objectives.
Sir Anthony said the next public hearing of the inquiry on January 27th would address two residential institutions in Derry in accordance with the inquiry's plan to deal with evidence in "modules".
The first witnesses are expected to be heard on January 28th.