Hats off to Gary Mulligan, Tim Ryan and the anonymous former St. Paul High School students who mustered the courage to speak to Jason Warick of the Saskatoon Star Phoneix:
09 July 2011: Priest’s victims speak out
A good article. We learn more about Hod Marshall.
There are the sex abuse allegations. These date to Hod’s years teaching at Saskatoon’s St. Paul High School: August 1958 – August 1961.
There are also accounts of ‘spankings,’ spankings which doubled incrementally throughout the week. By one Friday a boy caught talking in cleass was to be the recipient of 64 spankings: straddled across Hod`s lap – 64 times Hod`s hand would smack the boy on his bottom. It is reported that the smacks were hard. In this instance, 64 spanks would take up too much class time. The `punishment`was to be rendered in Hod`s office at lunch break. All the boys were ordered to attend and watch.
There are accounts of Hod intentionally inflicting pain by pressing on nerves under a student’s armpits until a boy was down on the floor crying . One former teacher is quoted thus: “Old Marshall, he’d always pick on the smaller guys….He was bloody cruel. Made me wonder why he wanted to be a teacher.”
There was the one-way mirror which allowed Hod to watch the boys in the change room and shower. Everyone saw it. All the boys knew it was there.
We also find out that, according to anonymous, even when a boy was injured and in agony Hod was there to take advantage of the boy’s unfortunate situation to gratify his own perverted lust.
Regina lawyer Tony Merchant thought Hod was “a great guy.” He is surprised to learn of the allegations against Hod: “I was an altar boy, so he had a million opportunities to get at me, but he didn’t. I am really surprised to hear all of this, and I’m very sorry for the victims.”
We all do well to remember and repeat to others that “A thief doesn`t hit every house in block.`
When it comes to the scandal of clercial sexual predators, we can all learn so much. We all have much to learn
Every victim who speaks out gives us another glimpse into the demented world of the clerical sexual predator.
Every victim who speaks out gives courage to others who are watching in silence and frozen with fear and shame.
We learn from each and every one of you.
Gary Mulligan feels guilty. According to the article:
Mulligan’s eyes filled with tears as he pondered the guilt he now feels.
“Maybe if we’d said something we could’ve prevented a lot of this. But you have to understand how scared we were,” he said.
You were a child Gary. A child. Don`t burden yourself with a guilt which is not yours to bear. You were just a child.
I see you have spoken to a Crown prosecutor about your options. If you feel free to do so, please let us know the outcome.
Enough for now,
Sylvia