William Connelly broke down in tears as he told the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry of his experiences at Smyllum Park in Lanark.
The 69-year-old, who stayed at the children’s home from 1958, spoke of almost daily beatings by nuns and others.
He also claimed a priest would perform a sex act on himself when hearing confession.
Mr Connelly made the decision to speak publicly because he said he wanted his alleged abusers to “know that is me and not some anonymous guy”.
He told the inquiry how a “dodgy” priest would make the boys strip off their “dirty” clothes and rub them in holy water.
Mr Connelly told how one of the nuns seemed to get enjoyment from regularly beating him with a hairbrush and kicking him with “pantomime” boots.
On one occasion, he said he was attacked with scissors and left with cuts to his scalp and hands.
Older boys, who were put in charge of the younger residents, were said to sometimes make them pick a stick which they would beat then them with.
Mr Connelly said he forgave the nuns, because he believed they were unhappy, but rejected their joint apology.
He then became aware at the hearing that one of his alleged abusers was possibly still alive.
Mr Connelly said: “She’s a liar. One of the reasons I made the decision to do this was because I wanted them to know it’s me and not some anonymous guy.”
He then broke down in tears, before adding: “I was hoping she was dead, you’ve just told me she’s still alive – she’s a liar.”
A statement was then…
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