Belts for charity?
Some of the Irish religious orders today have detailed possible voluntary contributions to victims of abuse. From rosary beads to belts, orders say they hope to make “a meaningful offering.” The Sisters of Mercy were first to make an announcement, offering to put items on eBay to raise cash.
“We have piles of rosary beads left over from the days that the girls were making them in our schools,” one sister said. “We believe they have great historical significance and hope they will sell briskly on eBay. In addition, we’d like to offer the Irish State one of our own, Sister Mary, who has been sitting up on the fourth floor, doing nothing useful, for the last 10 years. She’s a bit elderly, but she has a great sense of humour.”
The Christian Brothers, not to be outdone, have offered one of their housekeepers, at no charge, to help keep the Taoiseach’s office clean, a cook to keep him fed, and some old cassocks to clothe needy victims against the cold this winter. They also have a large surplus of belts, which they say are no longer of use to them.
“Some say we are out of touch, but we pride ourselves in seeing what’s most needed. We think there are many people out there who could use a good belt,” they said. “We hope they come forward to claim one.”
