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Accusations of Abuse in
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One News
September 14, 2002
Top nun speaks out in denial
One
of the Catholic Church's most experienced nuns is publicly denying claims of
abuse from women in
At least five
Sister Mary Bernard, 69, has spoken publicly for the first time to deny that
she and other nuns abused children in their care in the 1950s and 60s.
Bernard, who joined the order 47 years ago, says while discipline was stricter
then the children were never whipped or beaten.
In
It is alleged Bernard molested one girl and beat others.
"I most definitely did not. Absolutely I deny that," says Bernard.
The church has so far paid out from $40,000 to $80,000 each to 17 Australian
claimants.
While the order has apologised, it says the money is not an admission of guilt.
"For some reason or another they've got unhappy memories... If we can help
them to do something to resolve those memories and help them become happier
people maybe some of that money would help them settle up in life and make a
new start," Bernard says.
Most of the nuns subject to complaints are dead. Bernard says she is one of just
a few left to defend the order.
"I find it very distressing... I find it distressing for the other members
of the congregation and the sisters I'm working with and my own family... And
for the whole church," she says.
Bernard was world leader of the order for more than 10 years.