Sir, - In your issue (March 19th) your Media Correspondent, Michael Foley, commented on the media reaction to the TV film Dear Daughter. He expressed the view that there was a lack of balance in the coverage and the uncritical acceptance of Ms Buckley's version of the events.
Having seen the film and read a number of articles on the subject I couldn't agree more, particularly after other orphans, now adults, who under Sr Xavieria, spoke out praising her kindness.
In fairness to the nuns I think the journalists should have examined the allegations more critically, and considered whether the improbable events (if they happened) could have been magnified by the erroneous perceptions of a child's mind, or distorted due to other problems. Instead they opted for instant condemnation.
Neither the film, the journalists, nor Christine herself gave any credit to the nuns for educating her to Leaving Cert standard, or for arranging a career for her in the nursing profession, which she could not have done on her own in those days due to her parental background and lack of money. Meanwhile, her father, free of his encumbrance, was living presumably in comfort abroad.
Some journalists in their articles also alleged cruelty in the orphanages in the 1930s and 1940s, probably before most of them were born.
I was honorary treasurer of a fund raising committee which the then Sister in charge of the Goldenbridge Industrial School, (orphanage) assembled in the early 1940s. The funds were required to carry out improvements for the benefit of the orphans. I have to say this nun showed great concern for those children, and the orphans I saw and spoke to there appeared happy and in no way fearful of the nuns - quite the opposite in fact.
To the present day religious who are dedicating their lives to aiding alcoholics, drug addicts, pregnant unmarried girls, and housing homeless children I would say beware! In 50 years time it may be your turn to be unfairly vilified on TV, and pilloried in the press. Yours, etc.,
The Kybe,
Skerries,
Co Dublin.