News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Michelle O Neill 1.JPG
Reuters
Michelle O Neill 1.JPG
Reuters
UK News

Sinn Fein leader says school's prayer wasn't right approach when she fell pregnant at 16

by Alex Collett

Sinn Fein's deputy leader says, when she fell pregnant at a teen, she was prayed over and felt she 'had sinned' 

Michelle O'Neill, says she was made to feel she had done something wrong. 

Ms O'Neill talked about her time at school in the 1980s and 1990s and how she became pregnant at 16-years-old while studying for her GCSE's at St Patricks Girls' Academy in Dungannon, County Tryone. 

Speaking to the BBC she said: "It was a Catholic grammar.

"A 16-year-old girl being pregnant was frowned upon and they wouldn't have been the kindest in terms of their approach to supporting me at that time."

When asked by the Mr Carruthers whether she felt the church had played a part in the school's approach, Ms O'Neill said some in the school had prayed over her.

She said: "It was actually when I'd just got pregnant. It was nearly like, you know, that I had sinned and therefore I must be prayed upon which obviously was not the right approach."

"My parents made that clear also to the school leadership at the time."

Despite Ms O Neill, giving birth to her daughter six days before her first GCSE exam, she was determined to sit them, stating: "It was my right to come back to the school to finish my education."
 

Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate