Sir, – Before Brian Stewert (April 19th) calls my words outrageous he may wish to examine the reports of abuse perpetrated in this country on helpless children. The beatings, neglect, emotional and physical abuse of many young orphans and wards were excused by religious orders, and their members, under the guise of “saving their souls”. Just as unmarried mothers and young women deemed to be “promiscuous” were imprisoned in Magdalene laundries, to “save their souls” so were children ill treated and denigrated – many were told that as illegitimate offspring they were born in sin and had to be redeemed. The Ryan report in particular highlights the way children deemed to be unfit were told they were worthless. In the name of religion, indeed. – Yours, etc,