Some of the priests from the Seminary were in the nunnery every day and
night, and often several at a time. I have seen nearly all of them at
different times, though there are about one hundred and fifty in the
district of Montreal. There was a difference in their conduct; though I
believe every one of them was guilty of licentiousness; while not one
did I ever see who maintained a character any way becoming the
profession of a priest. Some were gross and degraded in a degree which
few of my readers can ever have imagined; and I should be unwilling to
offend the eye, and corrupt the heart of any one, by an account of
their words and actions. Few imaginations can conceive deeds so
abominable as they practised, and often required of some of the poor
women, under the fear of severe punishments, and even of death. I do
not hesitate to say with the strongest confidence, that although some
of the nuns became lost to every sentiment of virtue and honour,
especially one from the Congregational Nunnery whom I have before
mentioned, Saint Patrick, the greater part of them loathed the
practices to which they were compelled to submit by the Superior and
priests, who kept them under so dreadful a bondage.
Some of the priests whom I saw I never knew by name, and the names of
others I did not learn for a time, and at last only by accident.
They were always called "Mon père," my father; but sometimes, when they
had purchased something in the ornament-room, they would give their
real names, with directions where it should be sent. Many names, thus
learnt, and in other ways, were whispered about from nun to nun, and
became pretty generally known. Several of the priests, some of us had
seen before we entered the Convent.
Many things of which I speak, from the nature of the case, must
necessarily rest chiefly upon my own word, until further evidence can
be obtained: but there are some facts for which I can appeal to the
knowledge of others. It is commonly known in Montreal that some of the
priests occasionally withdraw from their customary employments, and are
not to be seen for some time, it being understood that they have
retired for religious study, meditation and devotion, for the
improvement of their hearts. Sometimes they are thus withdrawn from the
world for weeks: but there is no fixed period.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account