Page 16 of Coram House

Sister Cecile Marie

Alan Stedsan:Good morning, Sister Cecile. Thank you for coming today.

Sister Cecile:Well, I didn’t have much choice, did I?

AS:All these interviews are voluntary—ah, one moment. Sorry about that.

SC:You didn’t let me finish, young man. If I have nothing to hide, I mean. And I do not.

AS:Ah—yes. I see. Well, let’s get to it, then. Sister Cecile, how long did you reside at Coram House?

SC:I arrived in 1965.

AS:And you stayed for how long?

SC:Coram House closed in 1977. But you knew that already.

AS:But you stayed on?

SC:Yes.

AS:In what capacity?

SC:I was there to serve God, Mr. Stedsan. And he did not go anywhere when Coram House closed its doors.

AS:Sister Cecile, can you describe daily life at Coram House? What were your responsibilities?

SC:Tending to the children. Overseeing their prayers, their studies.

AS:And discipline?

SC:Yes, of course.

AS:Did you ever hit the children?

SC:Of course. When it was required.

AS:I—ah. I see.

SC:Did your parents ever spank you, Mr. Stedsan?

AS:I—

SC:Mine certainly did not spare the rod. They were different times.

AS:And how would you hit the children? With your hand?

SC:Sometimes. Not usually. A ruler, perhaps.

AS:Were there other instances of violence?

SC:You call that violence. That was instruction.

AS:Sister Cecile, did you ever push a child out the window?

SC:You cannot possibly be serious.

AS:You didn’t answer the question.

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