Review: „Stealing Lives" – and the limits of inquiries
27. August 2023 von Nicht-die-einzige
What the institution calls "processing" is often a mixture of partial truths and the omission of essential aspects and facts or actions for those affected.
This is the case in the German dioceses, it is no different in the United Kingdom. The perpetrators and their crimes are often swept under the carpet, cover-ups go unpunished, if not unnamed. It was no different when dealing with abuse and violence at the Croome Court residential school. In their book, Countess Sigrid von Galen and Rafael Viola report how the IICSA - "Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse", which took place in London from 2015 to 2022, looked like, based on their own experiences in different capacities. Viola was a member of the committee that took over the "processing".
Prof. Dr. Thomas Hanstein kindly provided me with his review of the book for this blog.
Contact: info@coaching-hanstein.de; Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrHanstein
Contact co-author Countess Sigrid von Galen: countessvongalen@gmail.com, https://twitter.com/instcrimjust
At Croome Court residential school, run by the Sisters of Charity of St Paul's Apostle under the supervision of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, author Rafael Viola experienced the hell of his childhood as a little boy, according to his own harrowing accounts. He ran away from there several times, but was always brought back – against the express will of his parents, who incidentally were the only ones who believed his reports.
Viola and Countess von Galen also describe how the pupils could be abused undisturbed in the Croome Court hell: state authorities were systematically functionalized by church manipulation; due to inadequate, dysfunctional control mechanisms, they would have kept out of checking on the events of those in their protection and practically exposed the children and young people to abuse in church homes and schools. The only longer walks, for example, were always when an inspector had announced himself. He then inspected an empty house over tea and biscuits.
Countess von Galen and Viola report this and much more that is shocking in 21 chapters. Also, how Rafael Viola was only able to allow – and express – his memories of his childhood experiences in several church institutions at the age of 55. By that time his wife had already passed away. Thus, when reading the book - which is not easy - one is once again confronted with the fact that it can take more than half a lifetime before traumatizing experiences are ready to be processed by consciousness. Supported by his daughters and a number of friends, Rafael Viola has been unstoppable since then, and he found a powerful ally in Countess Sigrid von Galen.
After Viola was able to name his experiences, it was very important to him to contact other people affected and to build a network. After the IICSA was constituted in 2015, he was appointed "Ambassador for the Independent Investigation into Child Sexual Abuse". Against the background of these insights, he now calls it a "crime per se" that there has been "no adequate investigation to date" (p. 12).
In his report on his experiences, he writes that he was willing to give a report to the IICSA on condition that he could present it in its entirety - citing the lack of time, it was finally reduced to TWO minutes. Other victims were not even heard at all. Rafael Viola speaks of attempts at intimidation, manipulated assessors and playing for time, which is used again and again. Expectations were built up in order to disappoint them - whereby re-traumatisation was strategically taken into account.
Viola soon felt "used as an alibi survivor and figurehead" by the IICSA (p. 14). In addition to the humiliations that those affected have to endure every day in a trial, he has - despite everything - not received any honest apologies from the church to this day. Empty excuses, which remained without consequences, left only - mental and physical - consequences for those affected. Just as Rafael Viola suffered a nervous breakdown and a heart attack at the end of the long process, after having to be hospitalized in the middle.
Countess Sigrid von Galen also sees in the fact that files in this context are partially locked until the year 2045, a far-reaching global network of perpetrators - controlled in Rome - and a correspondingly deep-seated perpetrator culture. Therefore, she calls for the lifting of any special treatment and the diplomatic immunity of the churches and their representatives. In a concluding satirical chapter, she dreams of a show trial against the popes, in which none other than Mary Magdalene appears as prosecutor.
Association while reading: Coincidence would have it that "Stealing Lives" fell into my hands at the same time as the death of Sinéad O'Connor. The Irish singer, like Rafael Viola, has endured abuse and residential homes. With her - nevertheless - strong voice, she sang courage to many of those affected, maybe Rafael too. When the abuse tsunami rolled in Germany in 2010, she said to local activists: "Don't go to the bishops, they will only hurt you again." This assessment is also confirmed by the experience report by Countess Sigrid von Galen and Rafael Viola. And the conclusion that only networking, a tough fight, perseverance and mutual encouragement lead to success.
"Stealing Lives" Child, Nec Laudibus Nec Timore Publishing,
London 2022
Prof. Dr. Thomas Hanstein, Munich/Augsburg, Germany
DerRaubdesLebens/Stealing Lives
is also very readable because of the many cross-references. The pattern described of the systemic abuse of the children in care, their comprehensive exploitation and the later processing simulation by church and state is a real blueprint for other countries.
Angelika Oetken, @InfoOetken and Spiegelstelle, Berlin, Germany
A tragic factual story of the abuse of children.
By the powers that were officially put in place to protect them . The judiciary ,local authorities .educational facilities .The catholic church .Not only that the money spent in the investigation, the millions out of the public purse went to judges ,lawyers, solicitors, mental health practitioners and doctors and did not facilitate justice and correct compensation to the injured children for what they did to them .Lastly it was a professional cover up and a damage limitation exercise for those government institutions and The church, Who were found to be so at fault .
Paul Griffith, Royal Marines
The Countess has done incredible research work supporting Rafael and the thousands of children his voice represents. He's an absolute hero 🌟
Joanna Brittan @jebrittan2
A must read book not just for survivors&whistleblowers but also for researchers,law&health professionals as well as historians&interdisciplinary academics. No stone stays unturned here&the two authors risked their lives to write it.
Centre for Trauma Studies, London
@centre4trauma
An immensely important book especially in this time of daily exposure and surfacing of news about systemic numbers of child abuse and organised trafficking and organ trade with children as commodities by the churches.
Christoph Jauch, Münster
A tremendous amount of research, investigative reports, survivors and whistleblowers testimony, even a fictitious court trial as satire - all skillfully narrated and written in a most captivating manner in this all in one niche book that frees the silenced survivors from the innermost sinister Vatican secrets and breaks all taboos.
Countess Sigrid von Galen is our Lion's secret granddaughter and roars at the popes herself!
Gina Kasper, Münster
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
A difficult, but MUST read.....Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 July 2023
Unbelievable TRUE accounts, representing a few legendary survivors, (hopefully many more, will now have the courage to come forward, after reading this).... It is a hard, emotional book to read, in my opinion- necessary for people to be aware... so tides, of CHANGE, can come.... Well done & Thanks Authors, for sharing this, for the world to see.... Hopefully WORLDWIDE CHANGE, legislations will NOW come.... and others know there NOT alone...
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
Stealing LivesReviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 July 2023
Horrendous story of disgusting child abuse both physical and sexual in Catholic children's homes throughout the country.
Well written and perfectly describes the appalling childhood Rafael endured within these establishments.
5.0 out of 5 starsVerified Purchase
PowerfullReviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 July 2023
This book is great informative read and tells story of brave mistreated and abused children by the people that was supposed to be protecting them .
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stealing livesReviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 June 2023
Absolute brilliant read well done rafael viola for putting this out there hope now others affected come forward
Thanks so much Countess Sigrid! My life has improved 100 percent since connecting with you and these truths. I no longer am alone with my findings. Now i see much of my pain and suffering was to show me for myself these things are true and then connect with others who say the same. (i don't just read things and agree, i agree because i experienced them).
Christine Johnsson
i read your book daily. i just open to any page and i am healed by a few words like "rigged operations" (happened to me since i was born) everything you say about retaliation happened to me. i am healed more from your book than from the bible scriptures that are often double talk (one page says something is good the next page it's not in the bible).. i know everything you say is true. I bleieve we have the living real god holy spirit working through us telling our truth because it is THE truth. i am having a spiritual awakening from the truth from you and Rafael. Am so thankful
Tina Jones
