“Thou Shalt Not Bury Babies in a Septic Tank!”

Ireland is notoriously known for it’s dark history of abuse within powerful church institutions. But this time round the discovery is much worse. Reportedly nearly 800 dead babies were discovered in the septic tank of a home run by nuns from 1925-1961 has set off a round of soul-searching in Ireland and sparked calls for accountability from government and Catholic Church officials who were equally shocked over the horrific discovery.

Research suggests that 796 children were secretly buried in the sewage tank of the home in Tuam, County Galway, where unmarried pregnant women were sent to give birth in an attempt to preserve the country’s devout Catholic image.

People who lived around the home said they have known about the unmarked mass grave for a minute, but a new investigation was launched after research by local historian Catherine Corless discovered that of the hundreds of children who died at the home, only one was buried at a cemetery.

“I am horrified and saddened to hear of the large number of deceased children involved and this points to a time of great suffering and pain for the little ones and their mothers,” said Tuam’s Archbishop Michael Neary and claimed that the diocese had no part in running the home but urged the Bon Secours Sisters to “act upon their responsibilities in the interests of the common good.”