Over the past fortnight the approach of the Catholic Church and the Armidale Diocese to historical allegations of child abuse has been the subject of significant media attention. I am very much aware that this must be a source of great pain and justified anger for you, as it is for me.
We remember, however, that our pain and anger must be as nothing when compared to that of the abuse victims and their families. To them I extend my deepest sympathies. I share the community abhorrence of all child abuse and desire to see justice achieved. It is my hope that the independent review I am establishing will demonstrate this commitment to an outcome of justice.
Pope Benedict XVI addressed the issue of child abuse when he was in Australia for World Youth Day in 2008. I repeat his words here, since they accurately express my own thoughts too:
“Here I would like to pause to acknowledge the shame which we have all felt as a result of the sexual abuse of minors by some clergy and religious in this country. Indeed I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured and I assure them that, as their pastor, I too share in their suffering. These misdeeds, which constitute so grave a betrayal of trust, deserve unequivocal condemnation. They have caused great pain and have damaged the Church’s witness. I ask all of you to support and assist your bishops, and to work together with them in combating this evil. Victims should receive compassion and care, and those responsible for these evils must be brought to justice. It is an urgent priority to promote a safer and more wholesome environment, especially for young people.”
I invite all of us as a Church community to:
1. Recognise and publicly acknowledge the historical reality of child abuse in our Church
2. Work to provide support to abuse victims and to those who have been affected by abuse
3. Cooperate with relevant authorities in investigations of abuse allegations
4. Maintain child protection programs to maximise the safety and wellbeing of our children
5. Encourage and support your local Parish Priests – who feel deep shame for the sins and crimes of their brothers
6. Scrupulously pursue truth and justice.
Please join me in praying for the victims of child abuse; may they receive justice, healing, and peace, and may this terrible scourge be forever removed from our midst.
And please join me in working to ensure that this is the case.
Most Reverend Michael Kennedy
Bishop of Armidale
