Comments for Malachi O'Doherty

Comment on Dying Trees by S Hopkins

S Hopkins — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:38:08 +0000

Have a look at you tube on domhop1 and SallyAHopkins. I raised a similar problem in Northamptonshire last summer and was told it was too much water! I am extremely concerned at what is going on with the trees across the uk. I have continued to observe trees dying with the leaves browning and dropping off and limbs and whole trunks falling but am unable to persuade anyone in DEFRA of the Forestry Commission that there is a problem. What do I do?

Comment on Cameron’s Apology by David Dinning

David Dinning — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:27:17 +0000

Restitution to the families!

Comment on Did Nelson evolve or was he intelligently designed? by Bobballs! | This week’s blog column from Bel Tel…

Bobballs! | This week’s blog column from Bel Tel… — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 23:03:56 +0000

[...] and is a major thread to our community narrative, then why leave it unrepresented in our Museums? Malachi O’Doherty thinks that there’s every chance the Minister will get his [...]

Comment on The Christian Brothers should be banned and their property impounded. by Gordon Hill

Gordon Hill — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:53:45 +0000

My parents actually considered whether they should send me to Prior Park – instead of St Joseph’s Naini Tal where I actually was sent.
Clearly I missed out on something

Comment on The Christian Brothers should be banned and their property impounded. by Michael Downes

Michael Downes — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:32:18 +0000

Brother H***s, the ancient Christian Brother who absentmindedly groped me and others at our prep school (Prior Park Prep School, Cricklade, Wilts, UK) in the mid-1950s, had spent time in India. I don’t know whether he was a Christian Brother during his time there or whether he was attached to a school out there, but it seems likely.

Comment on The Christian Brothers should be banned and their property impounded. by Admin

Admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:26:13 +0000

All of the comments in favour of the Brothers are familiar because they are all heard in debates on the order here in Ireland too. There may indeed be more people even here still who speak well of the brothers than condemn them. But the facts have been disclosed, that many raped and brutalised children in their care and the good ones did little or nothing to stop them. If Indian schools escaped this treatment, well and good; but many here who never dreamed that such things were going on have learnt painfully that violence and abuse were rampant. I don’t think it is open to people now to harbour romantic sentiments about the noble brothers without first pausing to check if they were abusing children and getting away with it.

Comment on The Christian Brothers should be banned and their property impounded. by Maneesh Upreti

Maneesh Upreti — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 06:37:34 +0000

Quiet shocking to read and comprehend.

9 years with St. Josephs College, Nainital, (1980-88) I can not even think of a singular instance which would correborate the above accustions.

I found the Irish Brothers quiet mellow (barring 1 who was deemed to be strict, but I didnt have an ocassion to be taught by him).

Comment on The Christian Brothers should be banned and their property impounded. by Gordon Hill

Gordon Hill — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:08:33 +0000

I was at St Joseph’s Naini Tal India from 1954-1960.

Yes the Brothers were stern disciplinarians and many were the canings I had. That being said, the cane was a common instrument of punishment in most if not all schools in India.

In my 7 years although beaten often I can honestly say that I was never interfered with sexually in any way, nor do I recall any others who were: in a boarding school of 600 boys that sort of thing would have come out.

My last two years were under the tutelage of Br D F Burke and interestingly, although he was a very stern disciplinarian I cannot recall a single instance of his meting out corporal punishment to anybody – so it can be done you see.

All in all I value highly the education and espirit de corps the Brothers instilled in me – maybe I was one of the winners. Its a great pity that so many others were losers

Comment on The Christian Brothers should be banned and their property impounded. by Prakhar

Prakhar — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:03:36 +0000

@Ankit -

Oh by the way – a small correction, they did not arrive in India in 40s and 50s.

St. Joseph college in Nainital was established in 1888 (1988 was the Centenary Year)……

I am an Alumni of the same institute….

Comment on The Christian Brothers should be banned and their property impounded. by Prakhar

Prakhar — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:58:56 +0000

Hey All,

I studied in St. Joseph’s College Nainital and i must say that the institute is where it is because of the Christian Brothers.

I feel that since in India most of the Christian brothers’ schools are run with a handy mix of local teachers and Christian brothers there has been mostly no sexual offences against the students.

As far as Terrorizing and caning go…. I am pretty sure that these days its not that rampant. Up until 10 years ago there was no legislature from the government in this area. Now in India too excessive physical punishment is illegal.

One more point, i do remember how mischievous we (my contemporaries and I) were. I think that it was necessary to keep some kind of a corporal punishment as a deterrent.

As they USED to say “Spare the rod, Spoil the child”… well those days are gone and so is the terror of the cane. What is left is all the good memories and good education imparted by the brothers. It did instill a sense of discipline and orderly lifestyle.

I hope that they keep up the good work, and sincerely hope that the institution of Christian Brothers introduce some sort of a screening process to ensure that only those who are truly dedicated to serve humanity are allowed in the order. Screen out the emotional nut jobs.