Sir, - I have been advised on a recent trip back to Ireland that the Jesuits and their boarding schools have had a bad press in recent years. Since I don't know what was said in the press, I will not attempt to comment on it.
However, having spent four years in a Jesuit boarding school, and three years in a Jesuit residence while at university, I feel these are things about which I do have first-hand knowledge.
For me, the seven years I spent with the Jesuits were seven very happy years. The Jesuits to whom I was fortunate enough to be entrusted were, without exception, well educated, caring, patient people.
They gave me a foundation in logic; training in how to discipline myself to study; and coaching in how to prepare for exams. These are skills that have served me all my life in preparing for university exams and job interviews. Especially useful was the training in logic which they instilled. This has been invaluable in getting to the root of difficult problems all through my working life.
I have been fortunate enough to hold senior positions in Canada's public service over the years. At present I am in charge of the federal research programme on agriculture and food. Without the training given to me by a group of dedicated Jesuits, I would never have had the self-discipline to do the continuous study necessary to fill these positions. I was, I am afraid, a very indifferent student before the Jesuits took care of me.
A heartfelt word of thanks to a great and generous group of people. - Yours, etc.,
Brian Morrissey, Empress Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.