Irish Independent

Nod to pain caused by Church would be significan­t

- Laura Larkin

COMMENTARY around the Pope’s visit to Ireland next month has made much of the changed Ireland that he will arrive in – but a visit to a former Magdalene Laundry would be a welcome nod to the pain caused by Catholicru­n institutio­ns over many decades.

Hardly a conversati­on about the papal visit has been had without a rumination on the fact the country he will visit is different from the one encountere­d by John Paul II. That’s undeniable. The Ireland visited by John Paul II was one where the Church had a hand in almost every State function, where divorce was illegal, homosexual­ity was 14 years away from being decriminal­ised – and the laundries were still open for business.

Recent years, with the referendum­s on marriage equality and the Eighth Amendment, have also marked significan­t progress.

But a visit to Ireland by the Pope that did not in some way mark the wrongs of the past would do a disservice to those who suffered at the hands of the Church.

It is not known what the intentions behind the proposed visit would be and it would come in a context where the Church has never investigat­ed the laundries itself and has faced criticism for its reaction to inquiries carried out by the State.

However, a visit to a former laundry site would mark a significan­t moment.

The Dublin Honours Magdalenes group has in recent months worked to ensure the stories of the women who were mistreated at the hands of the institutio­ns are not forgotten.

This year’s landmark event, which welcomed survivors from around the world, was an emotional day with many survivors sharing tears for the warm reception received at the Áras.

Survivors of the laundries have called continuous­ly for their stories to be heard.

If the Pope does visit the Sean McDermott Street building, it may be seen as a signal that he is willing to listen.

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