I am reasonable Joe. I do not see this as an opportunity to rant against churches, despite your thoughts otherwise.

I am enraged by the early attempts by the church authorities to play it down until they realised it wouldn't stay quiet. Then and only then, contrition and accepting historic responsibility. Last year for a short while, I was interim CEO of a hospital trust. Our people uncovered a mistake, not a planned crime, but a mistake that was made 20 years ago and had a catastrophic effect on a patient. We gave a press conference, I apologised on behalf of the trust and the poor governance, one off wrong clinical decision and lack of candour on the part of those responsible at the time.

I expect nothing less from those giving the catholic "brand licence" now concerning institutions in their name then. Candour and regret may not bring people back, but it helps the healing process.

In the meantime, ask not why babies were thrown into a cesspit (sub human in the eyes of the nuns is the best suggestion to date) but how living children and babies came to die in such huge numbers at a time when social care, welfare and healthcare was universally available. Ask what doctrine was invoked in order to sustain such sub standard care? Question how that doctrine has altered. Has it? How? What is in place to prevent this happening in a church mission in deepest Amazon? Deepest County Clare for that matter...