May 13, 1989—US District Courthouse
May 13, 1989—US District Courthouse
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.
SC: No. I did not.
AS: Did you ever tell a child to run into the fire to fetch a ball?
SC: Nonsense. Children making up stories.
AS: Did you ever push a child out of a boat?
SC: Let me tell you something, Mr. Stedsan. Many of the children at Coram House were bad children. We did our best to guide them into the light, to show them the path to living a righteous life. Some of them did. Some of them were saved. And many more were not. I have nothing to confess if that’s what you’re hoping for.
AS: I’m just looking for information.
SC: You’re looking for truth. And only God has that.