Angelmom--I'm not Catholic so I can't speak for what the environment in the church was at the time. I am Irish, though. I think we've had a sea change in societal condemnation of abuse. Remember, that it's only been in the last decade or so that we've stopped (at least, most of us) blaming the victim. And I'm speaking for the US. I think it's taken a bit longer for systemic change in Ireland. Many, many countries are still far behind. Check out Uganda, for heaven's sake.
The fifties were the "Golden Era". The war was over and everyone wanted and desperately needed to believe that life was a fairy tale. Divorce was rare. People kept their dysfunctions to themselves. Nowadays, if a family member develops a mental illness or an addiction, people have empathy. In the past, it was shameful. It was so much easier to sweep child abuse and domestic violence and dysfunction and mental illness under the rug and to pretend it wasn't happening. Oh, what a perfect storm we set up for abusers.
I always liken the change in our society's response to childhood sexual abuse to the civil rights movement. Of course abuse and discrimination will always occur, however, our society no longer turns a blind eye to it. Our justice system, schools, medical system, even churches, all MUST respond to it.
I'll have to do some research but I would imagine that child abuse trials in Ireland rarely, if ever, took place before the 1980's-1990's. Children were discouraged from disclosing as the disclosure would have brought deep shame to the family.
After all, Father Patrick, is such a good and kind man. He visits the shut-ins, feeds the poor, and helps the young mothers. How could little scrawny Kevin O'Connor (making up these names here) be telling the truth? That's just outrageous. Father Patrick would never hurt a child. I let my own Timothy travel with him to another parish last month. Hasn't Kevin lied about stealing a neighbor's bike? He's a naughty one, that one, and not to be trusted. That wee ten year old is just trying to stir up trouble for the good Father. If I were his Mam, I'd give him something to really cry about. Poor Father Patrick, as if he doesn't have enough to worry about and all. (My story)
That's how it happens. Come h*ll or high water, keep up appearances and don't ruffle feathers or bring negative attention to your own family.
