David Ryan, who featured in the documentary Blackrock Boys that aired on RTÉ Radio 1 in November 2022, was the first survivor of sexual abuse to have a private meeting with Pope Leo XIV, on February 3rd.
Ryan reports this was a moving experience, where he truly felt the pontiff’s empathy and compassion as he was telling him about the emotional and sexual abuse he suffered during his stay in the secondary school college between ages 12 and 17.
The Pope confessed that what struck him after learning about the abuse at Blackrock college by the Spiritan priest, was Ryan father’s reaction when he became aware of the sexual abuse that had occurred 20 years prior, after which he immediately called his older son, Mark, and learned he had been victim of the same harm.
Ryan talked with the Pope about Mark, who passed away in 2023, and the violence both brothers went through, each unaware of the other’s suffering at the time. He told the story of two young boys being deprived of their childhood by what was publicised to be a safe and religious environment.
After listening to the victim’s words, the Pope felt the need to apologise, apologise for a pain that no child should ever experience, “his sympathy, his empathy for survivors… he felt it, and he was sorry and it was genuine and I knew it was genuine”, David told RTÉ. Somehow, the Pope could “feel” his pain even though he hadn’t experienced it, and this was enough for Ryan to finally feel understood.
The courage David Ryan showed by coming forward with his testimony and the abuse suffered by children in religious institutions can’t go unnoticed. The pontiff hopes this meeting can serve as a message towards survivors of sexual abuse to find the strength to make a testimony of what they have been through.
CEO of the charity One in Four, Deidre Kenny, supported David towards the end of the meeting, describing his interaction with the pontiff as “relaxed, chilled and human”.
— Update and Correction March 12th 15.50 —
The photo accompanying the article was corrected and updated, now depicting Pope Leo XIV rather than Pope Francis.
