"I must be informed, that one of my great duties was, to obey the priests in all things; and this I soon learnt, to my utter astonishment and horror, was to live in the practice of criminal intercourse with them"

This quote by Maria Monk talks to the overbearing and exploitative nature of the Catholic Church in the 19th century. It exposes the power characteristics between the priests and the people, particularly women, who were expected to follow them in all things. The quote likewise speaks with the horror and astonishment of Maria Monk when she found out that one of her responsibilities was to participate in criminal sexual intercourse with the priests. This quote is an effective tip of the oppressive and exploitative nature of the Catholic Church in the 19th century and the power characteristics in between the priests and the people. It likewise speaks to the horror and astonishment of Maria Monk when she discovered that one of her duties was to engage in criminal sexual intercourse with the priests. This quote is a powerful suggestion of the requirement for justice and equality in spiritual institutions and the significance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals from exploitation.