The children of priests searching for their fathers | Compass
ABC News In-depth・2 minutes read
Brendan discovered his biological mother was a nun and his father was a priest after years of searching, facing challenges in retrieving his adoption file. Various individuals shared stories of reproductive abuse by priests, highlighting the impact of mandatory celibacy and clerical power on hundreds of thousands of children globally.
Insights
- Brendan discovered his biological mother was a nun and his father was a priest, revealing the complexities and challenges of his search for his roots.
- The text highlights a pervasive issue of reproductive abuse by priests, including cases of manipulation, secrecy, sexual assault, and pressure for abortions, shedding light on the significant impact on victims and the broader implications of clerical power within the Catholic Church.
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Recent questions
How did Brendan discover his adoption was unusual?
Brendan discovered his adoption was unusual at the age of 29 when he sought information about his biological parents.
What surprising information did Brendan find on his birth certificate?
Brendan's birth certificate only had his mother's name, revealing her age and origin from South Australia.
Who did Brendan discover to be his biological father?
Brendan discovered that his biological father was a priest named Father Vincent Shield, who had a relationship with his mother.
What challenges did Brendan face in retrieving his adoption file?
Brendan faced challenges retrieving his adoption file from McKillip Family Services due to missing records and incomplete documentation.
What research project revealed cases of reproductive abuse by priests?
A research project conducted by a former nun revealed cases of reproductive abuse involving young girls impregnated by priests, highlighting the impact of mandatory celibacy and clerical power on such abuse.
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Summary
00:00
"Adopted man uncovers priest father's identity"
- Brendan and Damien were adopted by Roy and Bet Watkins in 1959 and 1961 respectively in Richmond, Melbourne.
- Brendan discovered his adoption was unusual at 29 and sought information about his biological parents.
- Brendan and his partner Kate wanted children and began by obtaining Brendan's original birth certificate from the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau in Melbourne.
- Brendan's birth certificate only had his mother's name, surprising him with her age and origin from South Australia.
- Brendan's initial meeting with his biological mother through a social worker was met with rejection and a directive to forget about her forever.
- After years of searching, Brendan found his mother, who was a nun, and eventually learned his father's name, Paul Hayes, which turned out to be false.
- Brendan sent his DNA to ancestry.com.au and discovered his father was a priest, Father Vincent Shield, who had a relationship with his mother.
- Brendan faced challenges retrieving his adoption file from McKillip Family Services due to missing records and incomplete documentation.
- Terry, Brendan's cousin, was also adopted by Father Shield's family and discovered his biological mother's identity later in life.
- Michelle, another woman affected by a priest's abuse, shared her story of being manipulated into secrecy, offered an abortion, and sexually assaulted by a priest.
18:38
"Reproductive abuse by priests: former nun's research"
- Research project on reproductive abuse by priests conducted by a former nun, revealing cases of abuse involving young girls impregnated by priests.
- Victims pressured to abort pregnancies, highlighting resistance by some victims who wanted to keep their babies.
- Mandatory celibacy and clerical power of priests contribute to reproductive abuse, with hundreds of thousands of children affected globally.
- Linda Kelly Lawless seeks recognition from the Catholic church as the daughter of Father Joseph Kelly, presenting DNA evidence and legal documents.
- Archbishop suggests exhumation as a means to prove paternity, while Linda seeks acknowledgment, support, and an apology from the church.
