Saturday 7 August 2010

The ISI reports again

The Times (full page article on page 3 yesterday) has a new report on St Benedict's School. The online version is stuck behind the Times paywall, but the BBC has taken up the story, and their version can be seen here.

There are two parts to the story. The first is that the Independent Schools Inspectorate has issued an unprecedentedly critical report about the school. I've read the report and so can you.

The other part of the story concerns the fact that the school has decided to set up an Inquiry! Well I never!

And it is to be chaired by a Lord
- Lord Carlile of Berriew QC, one of the country's most prominent (and expensive) barristers, and the government's independent reviewer of terrorism laws. Goodness only knows what his daily fees will be, and quite what is his expertise with respect to safeguarding practice in independent schools is a complete mystery.

And of course, in order to ensure that he conducts a thorough review, it is quite obvious that he will not be able to report until after the Pope has been and gone. How convenient!

43 comments:

  1. Not surprising that nothing satisfies Mr West.

    Correction - he says Lord Carlile's expertise with respect to safeguarding in independent schools is a complete mystery - wrong! Maybe a mystery to Mr West….!

    In any event, barristers spend their lives investigating and obtaining the minutest details of evidence, which is why most major inquiries are conducted by barristers and judges. The St Benedict’s inquiry will be absolutely thorough, Lord Carlile would not risk his reputation in doing anything less……………..but it probably won’t satisfy Mr West

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  2. An Abbeyvista has once again found its voice, and once again has blind faith in everything it seems!

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  3. I am not the abbeyvista who commented above, in fact I am not as far as I know an abbeyvista at all. But, having looked at this blog on several occasions, I have to agree with 19:06 comments. Mr West et al seem intent in stirring the pot even when it's empty. Clearly, in their view, the most interesting aspect of just about anything is their opposition to it. Not true I'm afraid, merely delusional.

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  4. As a supporter of Mr. West and his aims I agree with the previous comment. I wanted a full and detailed enquiry into why my son was put at risk for 13 years at the school. I'm very happy to see that Lord Carlile is going to investigate. I don't care if the report comes after the Popes visit. My support was not part of a campaign to spoil the visit of the Pope. I just want to find out the truth. I wait though to see the terms of the enquiry and who is going to be allowed to give evidence. I have said before and I would repeat my belief that there are a number of good and caring monks at Ealing Abbey who have joined the Abbey in the last fifteen years. These men have been let down very badly by their leaders in an attempt to save their own reputations.

    As a critic of the Abbott on this blog in the past I have to accept that he has now done the right thing.

    Well done Mr. West you have through your tenacity achieved your aim. Don't spoil it by making this blog into an ant catholic vehicle. I am anti child abuse not anti catholic

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  5. Er... what's an Abbeyvista? is it not the view from the labyrinth :-)

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  6. Have no fear 17:59 Theseus West is still on the case, freeing the world from wicked ideologies that are foolish enough to point beyond whatever lies beneath our hero's own nose. Er long we shall be woven into a seamless secular terrain of vast Westerly vistas!

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  7. Hallelujah Brother...bring it on!"!

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  8. I strongly disagree with the comment above referring to 1. the coincidence of the Pope's visit and 2. the Catholic witch hunt.
    The Pope and his blind flock must be made aware of their considerable failings, not just the abusers themselves. This is not 'muck-raking'....this stuff is still happening and the more negative publicity toward the catholic church and indeed any other religious institution that hides it's tawdry fiddlings behind the cloak of God, the better in my opinion. Until, that is, their house is 'clean'.
    It would be a shame not to make the Pope aware whilst on his visit, that there are a good many of us who would rather see him and his power base actually do something positive about the many voices of the abused and cleanse the present powerbase rather than indulge in all the petty apologetic rhetoric that we have up to now had to endure.
    As an aside, I think the Abbey at Ealing would make a nice block of flats.

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  9. I wish to thank Jonathan West for his efforts in bringing this issue to a point where there appears to be some action.
    I have children at Benedicts and have become increasingly uncomfortable with the direction which the school's Governors have been dealing with a critical subject.
    In regard to child safety there should no other way than complete transparency as to what, where and how so we can be assured that there are no interests being served other than the most important one - our children's. I understand the QC to be a thoroughly independent and decent individual but would still like to review what he is being asked to investigate.
    Why? because there is no reason that I can see why his terms of reference should not be public knowledge to an interested parent. If they are not made available then why not? I start to get uncomfortable again......................

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  10. benedict's dad

    Please make 90 minutes available to watch
    Chosen either online or by contacting the True Vision production company to get a DVD. They are based in Chiswick.

    The documentary provides a stripped down insight into the unique dynamics of sexual abuse in independent schools and the long-term effects on victims. It won a BAFTA and the previews and reviews were extensive. This is just one

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  11. 14:38 says he is grateful that matters have now reached 'a point where there appears to be some action'

    Whatever action is being taken by Ealing Abbey has absolutely nothing to do with the promptings of Mr West and his blog. That matters have reached this 'point' is thanks solely to the efforts of the abbey and the many advisory bodies it has consulted over the past few months. That these 'efforts' were ongoing was made clear to Mr West on several occasions. However, to maintain the underlying fiction of his blog, Mr West chose to ignore reality and press ahead with his own fantasy agenda. Please, do not thank Mr West if anything he has made matters a good deal worse. But that, of course, was central to his agenda as the prompting at 17:06 testifies. This same prompting has, in fact, already appeared four or five times on this blog, but do take a look at it and judge the quality for yourselves.

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  12. P.S. Sorry no 17:06 is offering a different prompt to the one I was thinking of. But the central fact remains - this aim of this blog is to undermine, ridicule, tarnish and generally mock not only the Catholic Church but religion as a whole.

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  13. 17:36 I think you're right about this blog. Which leaves me wondering, has any 'secularist' or 'atheist' ever abused a child? Perhaps, a little research is in order? Or is the question just too absurd?

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  14. 17.31. You really are incisive.

    "Whatever action is being taken by Ealing Abbey has absolutely nothing to do with the promptings of Mr West and his blog. That matters have reached this 'point' is thanks solely to the efforts of the abbey and the many advisory bodies it has consulted over the past few months."

    I agree with you it's self inflicted!

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  15. It's of a matter of 'incisiveness' - just plain, boring old facts. Sorry about that; but it's true, as any of this blog readers can easily check out for themselves. Mr West, in any positive sense of the word, has achieved nothing!

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  16. 'It's NOT a matter....

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  17. If the site is all the things you allege why are you here?

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  18. To check and occasionally comment on its many untruths, false accusations and abusive statements.

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  19. I note that no one has commented on the above question @17:48. Is child-abuse restricted to certain groups or is it found throughout society? Would anyone care to comment? For instance, the issue of what proportion of non-religious people is involved in this activity is an interesting one, especially given the bias of this blog which clearly favours some form of thoroughgoing secularism.

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  20. So no answer then! Got it.

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  21. Abuse occurs wherever children gather. I's not a religious thing. Boarding schools, care institutions, boy scouts are among those targeted by paedophiles but the main area of abuse is the family. It is nothing to do with religion.

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  22. 10:07 I don't think you have got anything at all!
    Clearly you only read your comments otherwise you would have picked up time and again on this blog people challenging statements made and the manner in which they were made. Take a look - it's all there!

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  23. So, the answer, to how widespread is 'child abuse', is:
    THIS ABUSE OCCURS WHEREVER THERE ARE CHILDREN, MOST ESPECIALLY IN FAMILIES.

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  24. My God! I've been seriously misled! I've been following Mr West and thought it was restricted to Ealing Abbey!

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  25. Sorry, 10:45, but only a COMPLETE FOOL could be misled in that way! As the Americans say, 'Wake up, and smell the coffee!'!

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  26. You mean, 10:23, I now have to believe that Secularism ISN'T the promised land? The Enlightenment may have failed but I was beginning to think Mr West might just be the answer to all our problems and usher in the bravest of brave new worlds. But, as you say, I have, indeed, been very, very foolish!

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  27. Whether or not there are a few more paedos amongst the catholic priesthood than the population in general is not really the point. There probably are a few more, since the priesthood is an occupation that provides access to children.

    What matters is how an organisation with responsibility for caring for children works to reduce the risk of admitting a paedophile into its ranks, and what the organisation does when a case of suspected abuse comes to light.

    This matters because this can have a vast effect not so much on the number of paedophiles about, but on the number of children they have an opportunity to abuse. This is where Ealing Abbey has failed, and if St. Benedict's School had been Anglican, Muslim or secular, I would have expressed exactly the same concerns about that failure.

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  28. Mr West isn't even the solution to Mr West's problems, let alone anyone else's problems. In fact, Mr West appears to be the main cause of Mr West's problems. Have pity on him.

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  29. JW says There probably are a few more, since the priesthood is an occupation that provides access to children.

    Oh........doesn't he know that parents and teachers come into contact with children?.....yes, stirring an empty pot.

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  30. The chip on your shoulder about Catholics being targeted is going crush you.

    Abuse is non denominational.

    Concealment of crimes is an addiction of most institutions.

    The Catholic Church has proven itself to be consistently addicted to concealment of these matters and has made little improvement in 2000 years.

    St Benedict's is an example of concealment of child abuse. Mr West has quite legitimately taken up the reins which you clearly don’t like.

    Live with it.

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  31. There are lots of ways in which paedophiles gain access to children.

    Some of them simply have children themselves. Some of them target their children's friends. Some target single parents with children, making up to Mum in order to gain access to the children (a tactic used by John Maestri, one of the convicted abusers at St Benedict's, according to his trial transcript and to my own knowledge). Some of them target the children of their friends and colleagues; I am aware of abusers at St Benedict's having used this tactic, too. Some paedophiles get into the caring professions and gain positions of trust which allow them both access to children and positions of power and influence in the community which enable them to protect themselves against accusations. The abusers at St Benedicts have all done that, in their positions as teachers at the school, trustees of the school, and monks and priests in the parish.

    How does it follow that because this blog focuses on the (various) types of abuse and the long-standing protection of abusers at St Benedict's and in Ealing Abbey parish, it does not oppose all types of child abuse everywhere?

    That's like saying that because I cannot prevent crimes everywhere, I should not call the police when i spot burglars shinning over my neighbour's wall.

    The Oblates of St Ben's (denial wing) are engaged in a classic piece of "whataboutery".

    Oddly enough it comes across, less as a defence of the Catholic Church or of St Benedicts School, than as a defence of child abuse.

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  32. To say that something is widespread, indeed ubiquitous, is merely stating the facts. In other words, such statements are value neutral. What Sarah calls 'the oblates' are, I think, merely trying to point out: (a)paedophilia is part of our general 'human condition' and (b) that, far from continuing to 'cover up' its failings, Ealing Abbey has, over the past year, working hard to correct any shortcomings in its child protection policy and set up an enquiry into its recent history. Yes, this has taken time, but all such matters do take time. Mr West shouting from the sideline has done nothing to help matters and he has been told on many occasions, not least via his own blog, that due process is being followed by the abbey. Hence, his campaign, attacking the abbey, has been sustained, knowingly, on a false premise.

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  33. Can somebody tell me why the Abbot of Ealing did not order a full enquiry 12 months ago? If he had done so Mr West would not have needed to act. The problem is he wanted to forget about the abuse and move on. As the Church in Ireland discovered that is not going to work. Protecting the reputation of elderly monks who failed to act against David Pearce was misguided and stupid. Once the Media, ie The Times got on the case they had no choice but to act.

    Whilst not agreeing with Mr. West on all aspects of his blog. He is not the guilty party.

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  34. Telegraph 12th August

    Vatican rejects resignations of Irish bishops over child sex abuse scandal

    The report by judge Yvonne Murphy that sparked the bishops' offers to resign disclosed that archbishops had effectively turned a blind eye to cases of abuse in institutions run by the Catholic Church.

    One priest admitted to sexually abusing more than 100 children, while another acknowledged that he had abused on a fortnightly basis over 25 years.

    Bishops Walsh and Field initially rebuffed criticism of their alleged role in hushing up the abuse but eventually offered to quit after failing to receive public backing from Martin.

    In March, the pope published an unprecedented pastoral letter to Irish Catholics that condemned those who committed the abuse, but refused to acknowledge any culpability on the Vatican's part.


    The moral illiterates at the vatican just don't get it. Having reached the bottom of the deepest hole they immediately break out the tools and start digging. And to think these men are attempting to protect the institution.

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  35. Same blind eye was applied at Benedict's by Shipperlee and his Trustees.

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  36. Gosh, thanks for point that out 06:12. You've really set me thinking!

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  37. priestsforjesusandgenitalwarts20 August 2010 at 13:08

    Mr. West has been completely correct in 'shouting from the sidelines' as to simply leave the catholic church to deal with it's own miserable failings will clearly not solve the problem. As a victim of abuse at St. B's I can only assume that most of the vitriolic nonsense handed down from the anonymous cretins above criticising Mr. West's findings, are indeed the very same sad paedo fuckers and their followers who cannot imagine their havens of christian comfort to be upset like so many toy boats.
    Personally, I would like to see the Pope arrested by Richard Dawkins when he visits the UK in a few days time and better still, a bullet in his nether regions might help him and his grubby ilk think again.

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  38. Robes cover a multitude of sins! If the Catholic church were so concerned about the safety of those in their care, then why did they allow monk martin shipley to share the boys dormitory on a confirmation retreat in 1984. We didnt have a nun in our dormitory! I was this some kind of initiation to the Bent-edictinemonastry? (This is not a reference to homosexuality, there is no comparison - but dishonesty) I am absolutely discusted at the blind acceptance of some of the cretins who have commented. I empathise with the abused at the hands of these perverts as I too of catholic parents was abused as a child by a family member and received no support. I didnt divulge this to anyone until I was forty. My mother, would rather believe that I had made it up despite other family members agreeing this was highly likely. As far as i am concerned those in the catholic church who harbour paedos are as guilty themselves and i hope they all burn in hell. Once again to those victims my thoughts are with you dont let the dirty fuckers win. Use your energys to make sure they stay in the spotlight and dont continue to make yourself ill as i did. AF

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  39. Mr West

    I need tp speak to you re the Abbey's perversion record please leave some sort of contact details even if they are anonymous. If anyone is listening please let Mr West know I am trying to contact him.

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  40. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  41. (this time without the typos)

    Feel free to email me at jonathanwest22@googlemail.com

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