I just read the news that the incredible Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor was found dead, after struggling with a lifetime of mental illness possibly caused by childhood abuse.
I am more of a reader than a video watcher, but probably the first time I was impressed by a YouTube video was when someone made a video that started with the full recording of Sinéad being brutalized by the audience at Madison Square Garden. Kris Kristoferson was the MC and put his arm around her. Very slowly, the audio pans into the song Kristoferson later wrote for her, "Sister Sinead", while the video continues. Alas, it had to be removed for copyright reasons. I wish I had time to look up links for you. The documentary on Sister Joseph? in California, who was excomunicated for exposing abuse and corruption is outstanding, too.
I was 13 years old when Sinéad O’Connor ripped up a picture of the pope on Saturday Night Live. Being raised Irish Catholic and also attending a Catholic school, through the cultural filter of which the story arrived to my young, impressionable ears, being that of a woman who hated Catholics and was not sound of mind; pure devilry. The antithesis of everything a good woman ought to be.
It was not until I was an adult that I was able to revisit the story and decipher its true intent, I was devastated to say the least. I had already started ripping at the velcro of the shame inherited through my Catholic beliefs and I was coming to terms with a loss of faith and this added to that sense of betrayal.
Sinéad O’Connor was only 26 when she threw it all on the line, not for fame or scandal or attention but to attempt to expose abuse of the worst kind. She was villainised & witch hunted and her character was torn to shreds for essentially speaking a truth that those of us who were sheltered by the safety of our institutions did not and could not face.
My intent in writing this is not to virtue-signal or to slam the Catholic Church, or its disciples, but to honour a woman who clearly struggled in this world but had the courage to be vulnerable in her authenticity, and to stand outside of the village to maintain her own integrity, no matter the cost -in every way, everything a woman should be valued for, and should never have to do. Thank God for people like her.
Interesting that Andres Serrano did not undergo the same vicious beating when he published his photo, PissChrist. The outrage against him only served to bring him more renown. He too has said (disingenuously?) that he wanted to heal the Church...
Another reason I hate 99% of organized religion. Unbelievable, the act is incredibly horrible but then to cover it up and finally move them somewhere else when they did it again.
It is amazing how easy it is to be one of the pitchfork holders. I remember the performance when in high school and feeling just how the Church hierarchy wanted me to feel and act. And little did I know one, of those monsters worked in my very parish for years, and as punishment was moved to a children’s school in the next county over by the Archbishop (soon to be Cardinal) of Los Angeles.
Thank you for that very passionate, informative and honest narrative on Sinead O’Connor. I’ve listened to, and fully enjoyed, your HOF for several years. And, just now, I have sent in a full year’s payment as a small token of thanks for all you do and also in honor of Sinead O’Connor.
I am more of a reader than a video watcher, but probably the first time I was impressed by a YouTube video was when someone made a video that started with the full recording of Sinéad being brutalized by the audience at Madison Square Garden. Kris Kristoferson was the MC and put his arm around her. Very slowly, the audio pans into the song Kristoferson later wrote for her, "Sister Sinead", while the video continues. Alas, it had to be removed for copyright reasons. I wish I had time to look up links for you. The documentary on Sister Joseph? in California, who was excomunicated for exposing abuse and corruption is outstanding, too.
I was 13 years old when Sinéad O’Connor ripped up a picture of the pope on Saturday Night Live. Being raised Irish Catholic and also attending a Catholic school, through the cultural filter of which the story arrived to my young, impressionable ears, being that of a woman who hated Catholics and was not sound of mind; pure devilry. The antithesis of everything a good woman ought to be.
It was not until I was an adult that I was able to revisit the story and decipher its true intent, I was devastated to say the least. I had already started ripping at the velcro of the shame inherited through my Catholic beliefs and I was coming to terms with a loss of faith and this added to that sense of betrayal.
Sinéad O’Connor was only 26 when she threw it all on the line, not for fame or scandal or attention but to attempt to expose abuse of the worst kind. She was villainised & witch hunted and her character was torn to shreds for essentially speaking a truth that those of us who were sheltered by the safety of our institutions did not and could not face.
My intent in writing this is not to virtue-signal or to slam the Catholic Church, or its disciples, but to honour a woman who clearly struggled in this world but had the courage to be vulnerable in her authenticity, and to stand outside of the village to maintain her own integrity, no matter the cost -in every way, everything a woman should be valued for, and should never have to do. Thank God for people like her.
Sláinte to you, Sinéad!
Interesting that Andres Serrano did not undergo the same vicious beating when he published his photo, PissChrist. The outrage against him only served to bring him more renown. He too has said (disingenuously?) that he wanted to heal the Church...
Another reason I hate 99% of organized religion. Unbelievable, the act is incredibly horrible but then to cover it up and finally move them somewhere else when they did it again.
I think it's worse than murder.
A valid point on her speaking out about the abuse in the church before anyone knew but she was indeed seriously troubled.
yes, that's why I mentioned at the beginning how much she suffered from mental illness throughout her life
It is amazing how easy it is to be one of the pitchfork holders. I remember the performance when in high school and feeling just how the Church hierarchy wanted me to feel and act. And little did I know one, of those monsters worked in my very parish for years, and as punishment was moved to a children’s school in the next county over by the Archbishop (soon to be Cardinal) of Los Angeles.
Thank you for that very passionate, informative and honest narrative on Sinead O’Connor. I’ve listened to, and fully enjoyed, your HOF for several years. And, just now, I have sent in a full year’s payment as a small token of thanks for all you do and also in honor of Sinead O’Connor.
Great words...a sensitive & troubled genius who in the fulness of time will be seen as a heroine.