FORMER PUPILS AT ST BEDE'S SCHOOL TO SUE SALFORD DIOCESE OVER SEXUAL ABUSE CLAIMS
Former pupils of a leading Catholic secondary school in south Manchester, who are suing church bosses over sex abuse claims, have spoken of their horror experiences.Harrowing claims from three former pupils, who have bravely waived their right to anonymity, describe in detail how they suffered at the hands of senior staff.
They allege that former senior staff members, Father Vincent Hamilton, Monsignor Thomas Duggan and Father Charles Mulholland, all of whom are now deceased, were involved in abuse dating back to the 1950s.
One survivor, Rick Merrin, says he was groomed by being invited to meet members of the Manchester United squad with one of his abusers.
He also recalls being forced to sleep naked in bed with his alleged attacker on school trips, before being forced into performing a sex act.
Merrin described his experience as "the most horrifying episode of my life and I certainly experienced no sexual pleasure from it." Another survivor, Michael Sweeney, described the 'sickening feeling' of being 'groped and nuzzled' as a young boy at the hands of Duggan.
Sweeney said: “It is still hard to capture just how appalling these experiences with Duggan were each time they occurred.
As young Catholic boys in the 1950s, we thought of priests in general as completely beyond reproach.
They were untouchable.
The shame from what Duggan did alone was enough to keep me quiet.” The men were aged between 11 and 15 at the time of the abuse.
Their alleged abusers died before being brought to justice, but the survivors are now taking out a civil case against the Diocese of Salford for what they say is a failure to protect them.
The case is expected to reach the High Court in the summer.
Thomas Beale, representing victims with London-based child abuse lawyers AO Advocates, said: “In our clients’ case, knowing there are other people suffering in the same way gave them strength to come forward.
The church is not dealing with this in the way it says it will.
It’s important to remember that these boys came from very devout, working-class families in Manchester.
They had scholarships to attend this hugely prestigious school.
They were deprived of the opportunity to flourish and meet their full potential because of the horrific abuse they suffered.
These individuals left school with little or no qualifications, their relationships broke down and a number have suffered from alcohol problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety as a result of the abuse they suffered.
It wasn’t just the sins of the individual, it was the failure of the church to address these complaints properly.
A spokesperson from the Diocese of Salford said: "The Diocese of Salford is aware that a case is due to be heard before the High Court later this year.
We are deeply saddened by the allegations of abuse from the 1950s, which are against everything we stand for.
We wish to reiterate that the health, safety and wellbeing of every child is always our absolute priority and that all appropriate current safeguarding measures are in place.
It would be inappropriate to make any further comment at this stage on matters before the court." A spokesperson from St Bede’s College said: "St Bede’s College has an excellent reputation for academic achievement and outstanding pastoral care which works hard to create and maintain a safe environment for all, especially its pupils."
