In a rather unexpected turn, the Religious Sisters of Charity are reportedly set to give up ownership of St Vincent’s Healthcare Group.
The news was confirmed in a statement issued by the Group this morning, in which a representative stated that the organisation has had to reconsider its involvement in ‘healthcare operations’ in recent times.
“The outcome of the process is that the Religious Sisters of Charity believe the future continued success of Saint Vincent’s Healthcare Group (SVHG), and perpetuating the vision and values of Mary Aikenhead, can best be ensured by relinquishing their shareholding in SVHG, and transferring ownership of the group to a newly formed company with charitable status to be called ‘St Vincent’s’,” the statement read.
The news comes just weeks after it was announced that the Sisters of Charity would be taking ownership of the national maternity hospital.
The news was met with outcry from people across the country, chiefly due to the fact that the religious order – who ran the infamous Magdalene laundries – have yet to pay full reparations to survivors of abuse.
Whoa! Religious Sisters of Charity are to relinquish ownership of the St Vincent's Hospital Group
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) May 29, 2017
Breaking: The Religious Sisters of Charity are to relinquish ownership of three hospitals they are involved with, incl St. Vincent's pic.twitter.com/UN0VnGZlb2
— Today Sean O'Rourke (@TodaySOR) May 29, 2017
We're talking to @paulcullenit to get latest on news Sisters of Charity will relinquish ownership of St Vincent's Healthcare Group #pknt
— Pat Kenny Newstalk (@PatKennyNT) May 29, 2017
A petition to prevent the group from taking ownership of the hospital was launched in the same week, and garnered over 100,000 signatures.
“The Sisters of Charity is one of 18 residential institutions that is highlighted by the Ryan report 2009 to have been responsible for child abuse,” the blurb in the petition read.
“They still owe €3 million to the redress scheme for its survivors…In 2013, they stated they would not be making ANY contributions to the State redress scheme to the women who had been subject to abuse in the Magdalene Laundries.
“Deny them ‘sole’ ownership. Demand they formally apologise and pay redress.”
It seems the petition – which was still gathering signatures online two hours ago – had a powerful impact.
We will keep you updated as more information emerges.
