NUN HELD ME DOWN WHILE PRIEST RAPED ME

Dec 18 2005 By Marion Scott

Ms A was just eight years old when she was raped by a priest.

The incident happened in 1966 in a Catholic care home in the west coast of Scotland.

She says the attack started when she was sexually assaulted by a nun.

Ms A said: "I was screaming in pain, distraught and terrified.

"But the nun kept shouting I was the Devil and that I was evil. While the nun held me down, he raped me.

"I endured several years of rape and abuse from that same priest and two others.

"Then the nun who had first attacked me realised I was pregnant.

"She subjected me to a vicious assault, kicking me repeatedly.

"That was the end of the abuse but the beginning of a life of torment."

Surprisingly, Ms A didn't turn away from the church despite the horrors she endured.

She instead dedicated herself to the care of the destitute in Mother Theresa's order for many years.

She said: "It still fills me with great sadness.

"The parish priest I turned to for help and support turned around and used my fear and vulnerability to abuse me himself.

"After that, I was caught, like many abuse victims, in a cycle of abuse, being made available to other paedophiles.

"I didn't tell anyone for years but then I went to the police when others started coming forward.

"Eventually, I was told the Crown Office had decided not to proceed. Apparently the priest was dead and the nun was too old. I was so angry.

Ms A finds it impossible to come to terms with her past.

"I've tried very hard not to blame the church," she said.

"That has been extremely difficult because their attitude is still to cover-up rather than hold out their hand.

"But I've never blamed God for what happened