Sir, We refer to the article on St Patrick's Guild by Padraig O'Morain (April 14th) and various other letters published on the same subject since. We have no doubt that this agency helped some people involved in adoption over the years. But unfortunately many who approached this adoption agency were not treated in the same manner. The Adopted and Fostered Persons Association of Ireland (AFPAI) feel that all agencies and others involved in ad option should treat everyone in the same open and honest manner. Misinformation or false information should not be given.
An old Irish saying comes to mind. "A single swallow does not a summer make". The fact that St Patrick's Guild treated some people properly does not in any way excuse them when they treat others badly. Adoption and fostering are very sensitive issues. The adopted person when he first contacts an adoption agency such as St Patrick's Guild trusts and believes every word that is said. When the agency says that the birth mother wants no contact the adopted person believes this to be true. When the agency says that the birth mother is married that her husband knows nothing about the birth or subsequent adoption, the adopted person believes. And when told that the birth mother believes that her life will be destroyed should the contact be made, the adopted person trusts the honestly of those concerned When the agency says that the birth mother is now 32 and originally came from Cavan the adopted person believes that too. More than that though, the adopted person makes the information part of them, it becomes their heritage, and is secured at the core of their being as the only link to the past that never had.
St. Patrick's Guild should not be put up on a pedestal for the paltry number of people that it has helped. Rather they should be judged by their treatment of people who have had useless and frustrating misinformation spun out to them, wasting what could have been, happy and fruitful years of their lives and robbing them of what little past they have. St. Patrick's Guild and agencies of their kind have a lot to answer for.
The Government and, in particular, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Mr. Austin Curry TD, should immediately take steps to set up a Post-Ad option and Fostering Services Board along the lines already outlined by the Adopted and Foster Persons Association of Ireland. Once and for all let us put aside the mistakes of the past and acknowledge that adopted and fostered people have a basic human right to a knowledge of their past, that birth mothers made the best choices they could and that adopting parents and their children have special needs that must be met.
We are also astonished at the recent revelation that St. Patrick's Guild has engaged the services of a professional public relations company and note that Sister Francis, the recently appointed Director of St. Patrick's Guild confirmed that, as a result of the latest scandal surrounding her organisation, people affected face a waiting list of up to six months. AFPAI wonders where their priorities are. Are they placing image over substance?
AFPAI once again calls on the Minister Mr. Austin Currie to take swift and decisive action to protect adopted and fostered people by revoking St. Patrick's Guild's status as a registered adoption agency.
We would also like to point out that, as a voluntary organisation we are unable to afford the services of a public relations company as enjoyed by St. Patrick's Guild. Yours, etc.,
Information Officer, Adopted and Fostered Persons Association of Ireland Grace O'Malley Road, Howth, Co Dublin