Hannelore, the nuns you are referring to were called the Magdilenes(Maggies)...and the last convent of that type was only closed as late as the late 70's. Most of the babies were sold to wealthy adoptive parents( BY THE PARISH PREIST) from middle to upperclass families. Most women never left the service..ending up istitutionalised and at the mercy of preists who would abuse them further than physical...in the name of God! Those that did escape...did so only if a man would marry them. They would also be told by there families that they would be 'came for'...but that rarely happened. The media portrayal is horrific but somewhat romaticised.

I was taught by the Sisters Of Mercy.....nothing I could say was mercyful about thier teachings! It was the singlemost damning influence on my life, emotionally, educationally, socially and spiritually. We have t-shirts sold here at home saying 'I survived a catholic upbringing'...I am serious. It's supposed to be funny/ironic....I ain't laughing. Clerial abuse is not amusing or ironic...it's real and the horror of it is only touching the surface here in Ireland today.

Po(of Perpetual Guilt...not!!!)
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''Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love