SABGA REPORT: THE ONES WHO GOT AWAY

THE arrest last week of a man for the alleged molestation of 40 boys more than 25 years ago deals with only one aspect of abuse at children’s homes. 

Another person identified in the Sabga Report of 1997 as committing “brutal episodes of neglect, physical, psychological and emotional abuse” died in 2000. 

Sister Dominic Xavier escaped criminal prosecution for her various alleged crimes at St. Jude’s Industrial School. 

The Catholic Church never apologised for the serial crimes reported in the shocking 70-page Sabga study. 

Instead, upon her death the Catholic Church hailed Sister Dominic’s “indomitable spirit” and paid lavish tribute to her. 

The arrest of a man in connection with alleged crimes at St. Dominic’s Home for Children is the only prosecution with respect to the criminal molestation and abuse of inmates. 

The Sabga Report said the management of St. Dominic’s intervened only after the suspect allegedly molested up to 40 boys. 

The man, who is employed at St. Anns Hospital, was allowed to resign from St. Dominic’s and was granted a full separation package and a letter of recommendation. 

There were recent reports that the nun who had managed the Belmont-based home at the time of the crimes now has dementia and is unable to assist the police Child Protection Unit in their investigations. 

The police have been unable to obtain relevant documents from the home. 

Subsequent to the Sabga Report, an investigation by a Committee headed by Justice Judith Jones told of other incidents of systemic abuse and torture at children’s homes. 

The Catholic Church operates 12 such homes and nurseries, but only St. Dominic’s and St. Jude’s came under the official searchlight. 

The Sabga Report related horrifying stories of physical and emotional abuse, torture, malnutrition, religious persecution, and torture. 

Experts say the victims are likely to be affected for life. 

The political administration of the day, the police service, and the Catholic Church declined to intervene after the appalling disclosures, with various explanations being provided. 

The victims never received rehabilitation services or redress. 

Of the alleged culprit, the report said that “in any other society” he “would be branded a monster of the worst kind and be put away for life.” 

The Catholic Church, under Archbishop Jason Gordon, announced an investigation last May – more than a quarter century after the crimes were committed. 

Gordon said the church would do “everything we can to bring justice and healing.” 

Anthony Pantin was the Archbishop in 1997. 

Police officials have called for victims to come forward. 

The crimes are not statute-barred, and, therefore, prosecutions could take place even after 25 years. 

But with the deaths or ill health of key personnel and the reluctance of victims to come forward, it is unlikely that there would be other arrests. 

Most culprits have gone unpunished, even as the Government, Police Service, and Catholic Church now show long overdue interest in a sordid chapter of the country’s recent history. 

In May, Prime minister Dr. Keith Rowley called on Acting Police Commissioner McDonald Jacob to “take all necessary action against all who have been implicated in or with these very shocking revelations.”