Kirchenakte Belegte Ereignisse aus Urteilen, Berichten und kirchlichen Dokumenten
1933 – 1984 · 51 Jahre · im Zeitstrahl zeigen

Schottland, Kinderheime der Sisters of Nazareth 1933 bis 1984 (Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry 2019)

Die staatliche Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry stellte 2019 fest, dass Kinder in den vier schottischen Heimen des katholischen Ordens der Sisters of Nazareth zwischen 1933 und 1984 misshandelt wurden: Sie wurden mit Gürteln, Stöcken und hölzernen Kruzifixen geschlagen, Bettnässer gedemütigt, Kinder zwangsernährt, eingesperrt und von ihren Geschwistern getrennt. In allen vier Häusern wurden Kinder sexuell missbraucht, auch von Priestern und Schwestern; Schwestern und Priester wussten davon und unternahmen nichts.

Zeitraum
1933 – 1984 (51 Jahre)
Bericht veröffentlicht
30. Mai 2019
Land
Vereinigtes Königreich
Institutionen
Sisters of Nazareth (Kongregation der Schwestern von Nazareth)
Nazareth House Aberdeen
Nazareth House Cardonald
Nazareth House Lasswade
Nazareth House Kilmarnock
Kategorie
Gewalt, Sexueller Missbrauch
Belegstufe
A Primärquelle · was heißt das?
Personen
Schwester Alphonso (Schwester der Sisters of Nazareth, 2000 wegen Körperverletzung an Kindern verurteilt)

Was den Menschen geschah

Wer war betroffen? Betroffene und Zahlen

  1. In allen vier Nazareth Houses wurden Jungen und Mädchen sexuell missbraucht, von Personal, Freiwilligen, Besuchern, Priestern und Schwestern. Erwachsene, auch Schwestern und Priester, wussten davon und unternahmen nichts. Mindestens eine Schwester ermöglichte den schweren sexuellen Missbrauch eines Mädchens durch erwachsene Männer, darunter Priester.
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. x (PDF-S. 12)
    „Children were sexually abused when in the care of the Order at all four Nazareth Houses. Boys and girls were sexually abused in various ways by staff, volunteers, visitors, priests and Sisters. Adults, including Sisters and priests, were aware of the abuse but took no action. At least one Sister facilitated the serious sexual abuse of a female child by adult males including priests.“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. x (PDF-S. 12). Original

Wie wurden sie angeklagt und verurteilt?

  1. Schwester Alphonso wurde im Jahr 2000 am Sheriff Court Aberdeen in vier Anklagepunkten wegen Körperverletzung an Kindern verurteilt, unter anderem weil sie Kinder gegen einen Heizkörper stieß, sie mit einer Haarbürste schlug und zwangsernährte.
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Kap. 4.1 Aberdeen, S. 31 (PDF-S. 45)
    „In 2000, Sister Alphonso was convicted of four charges of having assaulted children at Nazareth Houses.“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Kap. 4.1 Aberdeen, S. 31 (PDF-S. 45). Original
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Kap. 4.1 Aberdeen, S. 31 (PDF-S. 45)
    „striking a child against a radiator, punching and slapping a child, striking a child with a hairbrush, knocking a child to the ground, force-feeding a child and ridiculing a child“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Kap. 4.1 Aberdeen, S. 31 (PDF-S. 45). Original

Was geschah mit den Betroffenen?

  1. Die Nazareth Houses waren nach den Feststellungen für viele Kinder Orte der Angst, Feindseligkeit und Verwirrung, an denen sie ungestraft körperlich misshandelt und seelisch erniedrigt wurden. Sexueller Missbrauch erreichte in manchen Fällen ein Ausmaß äußerster Verderbtheit.
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. ix (PDF-S. 11)
    „The Nazareth Houses in Scotland were, for many children, places of fear, hostility and confusion, places where children were physically abused and emotionally degraded with impunity. There was sexual abuse of children which, in some instances, reached levels of the utmost depravity.“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. ix (PDF-S. 11). Original
  2. Kinder wurden mit und ohne Gegenstände geschlagen, darunter Gürtel, Stöcke, Besenstiele, Haarbürsten, Schuhe und hölzerne Kruzifixe. Man zwang ihnen Karbolseife in den Mund, schlug ihre Köpfe gegeneinander und ließ sie lange in Gängen knien. Für viele Kinder gehörte das zum Alltag. Ausreißer wurden nach der Rückkehr geschlagen; wer der Polizei von Misshandlung berichtete, dem glaubte man nicht.
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. ix (PDF-S. 11)
    „The implements used included belts, canes, sticks, broom handles, hairbrushes, shoes and wooden crucifixes. Children had carbolic soap forced into their mouths. Their heads were banged together.“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. ix (PDF-S. 11). Original
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. ix (PDF-S. 11)
    „Abuse of this kind, for many children, was part of daily life.“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. ix (PDF-S. 11). Original
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. ix (PDF-S. 11)
    „Runaways who reported to the police that they were being abused were not believed.“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. ix (PDF-S. 11). Original
  3. Bettnässer wurden geschlagen, in kalte Bäder gesteckt und gedemütigt, etwa indem sie ihre nassen Laken „tragen“ mussten; das dauerte entgegen der Darstellung des Ordens bis in die späten 1970er Jahre. Kinder wurden zwangsernährt, auch wenn sie das Essen erbrachen, und zur Strafe in Schränke eingesperrt.
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. ix (PDF-S. 11)
    „They were beaten, put into cold baths and humiliated in ways that included “wearing” their wet sheets“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. ix (PDF-S. 11). Original
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. ix (PDF-S. 11)
    „Contrary to what was submitted on behalf of the Order, these abusive practices had not ceased by the late 1960s and they were continuing in the late 1970s.“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. ix (PDF-S. 11). Original
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. ix (PDF-S. 11)
    „forcing food into their mouths even when they were vomiting it back“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. ix (PDF-S. 11). Original
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. x (PDF-S. 12)
    „Children were punished by being locked in cupboards or other confined spaces.“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. x (PDF-S. 12). Original
  4. Geschwister wurden routinemäßig getrennt und bestraft, wenn sie Kontakt suchten, selbst im Schulbus. Manche Kinder wussten nicht, dass Geschwister im selben Haus lebten, manche kannten ihren eigenen Geburtstag nicht.
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. x (PDF-S. 12)
    „Children were routinely separated from siblings and were punished if they tried to make contact with them.“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. x (PDF-S. 12). Original
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. x (PDF-S. 12)
    „Some children did not even know they had siblings residing in the same Nazareth House.“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. x (PDF-S. 12). Original
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. x (PDF-S. 12)
    „Some children did not know when their birthday was.“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. x (PDF-S. 12). Original

Zeugenberichte und Akten

Zeitzeuge „John“, ehemaliges Heimkind, vor der Untersuchung

you would get a young nun and she could be in charge of 20, 30 young boys, and she’s only in her 20s, never had children of her own , but suddenly she’s in charge of a big squad of kids. It’s not a good mixture. It’s a recipe for disaster, actually

Übersetzung (nicht amtlich)

Da bekam man eine junge Nonne, die für 20, 30 kleine Jungen zuständig war, selbst erst in ihren Zwanzigern, nie eigene Kinder gehabt, und plötzlich ist sie für einen großen Trupp Kinder verantwortlich. Das passt nicht zusammen. Das ist eigentlich ein Rezept für eine Katastrophe.

Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland): Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. x, Anm. 7 (PDF-S. 12). Original

Hintergrund

Warum? Begründung und Motive (laut Quellen)

  1. Die zuständigen Schwestern waren oft jung, unerfahren und ungeschult. Wegen ihres Gehorsamsgelübdes stellten sie bestehende Praktiken nicht in Frage; bis in die 1970er Jahre wurde ihnen sogar ausdrücklich abgeraten, Beziehungen zu den Kindern aufzubauen.
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. x (PDF-S. 12)
    „The Sisters directly responsible for the children were very often young, inexperienced in the care of children and untrained.“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. x (PDF-S. 12). Original
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. x (PDF-S. 12)
    „The vows of obedience taken by the Sisters meant that they did not question existing practices.“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. x (PDF-S. 12). Original

Wer bekam das Vermögen, wer profitierte?

  1. Kinder mussten Arbeiten in einem missbräuchlichen Ausmaß verrichten und wurden teils als unbezahlte Arbeitskräfte eingesetzt, wo Personal fehlte. Notwendiges wie Zahnbürsten mussten manche von ihrem eigenen Taschengeld bei den Schwestern kaufen; ein Kind wurde mit dem Stock geschlagen, weil es einen Teil eines Preisgelds ausgegeben hatte, statt es den Schwestern abzugeben.
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. x (PDF-S. 12)
    „the children were, in effect, being used as unpaid labour in the absence of staff“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. x (PDF-S. 12). Original
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. xii (PDF-S. 14)
    „There were instances of children being expected to use their own pocket money to buy necessities, such as toothbrushes, from the Sisters“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. xii (PDF-S. 14). Original
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. xii (PDF-S. 14)
    „one of a child being caned for spending some of the half-crown he received as a maths prize rather than handing it over to the Sisters“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. xii (PDF-S. 14). Original

Reaktion der Kirche

  1. Die meisten Schwestern, die aussagten, bestritten, Misshandlungen gesehen zu haben. Die Vorsitzende Lady Smith hielt es für schwer glaubhaft, dass sie nichts davon wussten, etwa wenn Kinder im Gang vor dem Büro der Oberin knien mussten und von jeder vorbeigehenden Schwester auf den Kopf geschlagen wurden.
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. xi (PDF-S. 13)
    „it is difficult to accept that they were wholly unaware of it“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. xi (PDF-S. 13). Original
    Beleg: Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland), Summary, S. xi (PDF-S. 13)
    „children were forced to kneel for long periods in the corridor outside the Sister Superior’s office whilst being hit on the head by any Sister who passed by“
    Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), Summary, S. xi (PDF-S. 13). Original

Originaldokumente zum Nachlesen

  1. Staatlicher Bericht
    Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (Schottland): Case Study no. 2: The provision of residential care for children in Scotland by the Sisters of Nazareth between 1933 and 1984 in the Nazareth Houses in Aberdeen, Cardonald, Lasswade, and Kilmarnock (Findings), 30. Mai 2019. Original (abgerufen 15. 10. 2026)
Änderungsprotokoll (1)
  • : Aufgenommen

Zuletzt geändert am 15. Oktober 2026. Fehlt etwas oder stimmt etwas nicht? Ergänzung oder Korrektur vorschlagen.