The final report of a three-person committee shows how bad the situation in the church houses in Tyrol really was. The bishop of Innsbruck, Hermann Glettler, sees a “total failure of education”.
A two-year scientific investigation into the events in Tyrolean children’s homes – especially in Martinsbühel in Zirl – shows ruthlessly the terror regime to which the minors were at the mercy. Because the Swiss mother monastery of the Benedictines made files disappear, the research is based on interviews with 75 residents.
Dramatic portrayals
The descriptions showed “that the members of the order had always demanded obedience, humility, diligence and piety from the children under protection. Neither the nuns’ lack of education at the time nor the size of the group – in Martinsbühel, for example, in the 1970s, a nun had to look after up to 50 girls – favored the children and their needs,” says the report entitled ” Learning humility”.
“Terrifying and Violent Atmosphere”
“There was a fearful and violent atmosphere,” summarizes Margret Aull, chairman of the Martinsbühel tripartite commission. In addition to structural violence, there were also reports of psychological (e.g. talking about feelings of guilt, etc.) and physical violence (e.g., slapping, clapping, etc.). There was also talk of sexual violence.
“Give those affected a voice”
The basic structural deficiencies were numerous. Those affected reported that the country’s youth services at the time and the respective school authorities were not looking. “With the research project commissioned by the State of Tyrol and the Diocese of Innsbruck, we have now given a voice to those who have not been seen or heard for too long,” says Aull.
Bishop: “Total pedagogical failure”
“The sometimes shocking reports show a total failure of education – this applies to church and state institutions. The circumstances that led to this are also described in the research report. It is important to give due attention to the injustice that has happened” , emphasizes Innsbruck’s diocesan bishop Hermann Glettler.
“My condolences go out to anyone who has been traumatized at home,” Glettler said, referring to the creation of an independent victim protection commission. “Numerous individuals, some of whom describe their dramatic experiences in the report, have been heard by this committee and received support. Equally important was the immediate establishment of ombudsman services in all dioceses and the development of prevention concepts, which are constantly updated,” he said.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
