Shining light for shunned mothers

I WATCHED ‘Britain’s Adoption Scandal’ on ITV on November 9.

As a Catholic I thought that Cardinal Nichol’s response was wholly inadequate. He said that church personnel were reflecting the attitude of the time. I say that the church is supposed to give moral leadership, not reflect current opinions.

The cruelty inflicted on unmarried mothers by both secular and religious personnel would be a mortal sin in any age. Jesus never acted or spoke in such a manner. Furthermore, it was the Church that created the idea that the human body is an object of shame. Adam and Eve could sue for defamation of character.

There was one shining light in all of the misery. Frank Duff, the founder of the Legion of Mary, founded a home for unmarried mothers in Ireland in which they were encouraged to bond with their babies and find husbands.

The Church hierarchy did not like him but he was the saint and they were the sinners. EDMUND O’BRIEN Sussex Road Ickenham