The woman who was sexually abused by a priest in 1960, when she was a a patient at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, at Crumlin, Dublin, has written a second letter to The Irish Times about how other priests have reacted to her story.
Father Paul McGennis (66), the priest who abused her, received sentences totalling 18 months last month. The woman has again asked that her name not be published.
"On Friday the 4th July you printed a letter from me regarding the unfortunate response I received in 1985 from a curate in my parish when I told him that I had been sexually abused as a child by a priest. As a result of that response I suffered a great deal of extra emotional pain which left me unable to report the abuse again for a further 10 years.
"I wrote that letter to illustrate the devastating effect the wrong response can have on a victim disclosing abuse and the wider repercussions which can ensue. I did NOT intend to suggest that all priests would respond inappropriately. My experience was unfortunate but I am sure not typical.
"I made public this negative experience as I felt it needed to be said but in justice I must also make public the other side of the coin.
"A few months after reporting the abuse to the church authorities in 1995, I approached a young curate in my parish for help. I was experiencing great difficulties with my faith, the practice of my religion and coming to terms with the abuse itself. This priest has supported me in every way possible since that day at no little cost to himself.
"He has been there for me through thick and thin . . . He has seen me through the worst two years of my life and is still there for me now. There is no way I can ever express to him how much his support and care have meant to me. All I can do is ask that we all remember these hard working, conscientious and dedicated priests working in our communities."
