The Catholic Church in Australia, in its submissions to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and in its communications with both the Catholic and broader communities has made the following commitment:

The leaders of the Catholic Church in Australia recognise and acknowledge the devastating harm caused
to people by the crime of child sexual abuse. We take this opportunity to state:

1 Sexual abuse of a child by a priest or religious is a crime under Australian law and under canon
law.

2 Sexual abuse of a child by any Church personnel, whenever it occurred, was then and is now indefensible.

3 That such abuse has occurred at all, and the extent to which it has occurred, are facts of which the whole Church in Australia is deeply ashamed.

4 The Church fully and unreservedly acknowledges the devastating, deep and ongoing impact of sexual abuse on the lives of the victims and their families.

5 The Church acknowledges that many victims were not believed when they should have been.

6 The Church is also ashamed to acknowledge that, in some cases, those in positions of authority concealed or covered up what they knew of the facts, moved perpetrators to another place, thereby enabling them to offend again, or failed to report matters to the police when they should have. That behaviour too is indefensible.

7 Too often in the past it is clear some Church leaders gave too high a priority to protecting the reputation of the Church, its priests, religious and other personnel, over the protection of children and their families, and over compassion and concern for those who suffered at the hands of Church personnel. That too was and is inexcusable.

8 In such ways, Church leaders betrayed the trust of their own people and the expectations of the wider community.

9 For all these things the Church is deeply sorry. It apologises to all those who have been harmed and betrayed. It humbly asks for forgiveness.

The leaders of the Catholic Church in Australia commit ourselves to endeavour to repair the wrongs of the past, to listen to and hear victims, to put their needs first, and to do everything we can to ensure a safer future for children.

First published in the Truth Justice and Healing Council’s Towards Healing submission to Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, September 2013

Media Release, December 2, 2013

The International Day of People with Disability is celebrated on 3 December each year. The 2013 theme is: “Break barriers and open doors: to realise an inclusive society for all!”

Bishop Terence Brady, the Australian Bishops Delegate for Disability Issues, said that our society is emerging from a long era when most people with disability had been excluded and forced to live separately from others.

“This type of exclusion meant that people were only known in those settings and it led to communities being developed without the participation of people with disability.”

“What is best is that communities engage all members in the giving, the receiving and the building up of a community. This is liberating”, he said.

Michele Castagna OAM, Chair of the Australian Catholic Disability Council, said that people with disability within our parish communities say that the old belief of them being the ‘weak’ members of the community or the ‘suffering ones’ does not acknowledge their abilities and desire to participate.

“Their strength is diminished when they are not affirmed as equal. Barriers can be liberated by discussion, learning and genuine relationships.”

“The Church has taken this day as an opportunity to encourage a truly pastoral view that embraces our total community as the living Body of Christ. The day is observed annually and coincides with the beginning of Advent.”

A spirit of Christian hospitality urges parishes to invite people with disability to participate as fully as they wish. It demands a willingness to change or adapt whatever is necessary to ensure that all feel welcome and that each person can live up to their own hopes and expectations.

Disability Projects Officer for the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Patricia Mowbray OAM, says that faith communities through Baptism must include all members.

“We all have a gift to share in service of the Body of Christ, and the Body is only “whole” when all of its members have a part to play.”

A newly developed resource page is available at catholic.org.au/disability. Resources include liturgy notes and tips for celebrating International Day, prayer cards, as well as three videos that can be used as prayer reflections.

For media enquiries or to arrange an interview with Patricia Mowbray, please contact Beth Doherty on 0407 081 256.

Media Release, 27 November, 2013

Since his election, Pope Francis has surprised and refreshed the Church and the world in many ways. He has done it again with the publication of the first text which is definitely his own, the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. The Australian Catholic Bishops welcome its publication and thank the Holy Father for the gift which he has given the Church.

His first Encyclical Letter Lumen Fidei was, as he said, “The work of four hands”. In it, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis spoke with a single voice. But now Pope Francis speaks with a voice that is very direct and very personal. He gathers up the work of the Synod on the New Evangelisation, and the voice of the universal Church is heard in what he writes. But it is also the voice of Francis that we hear unmistakeably.

The Bishops not only recommend this very readable document to all people, but will do all we can to ensure that its teaching is widely known. The document is long; there are many words. But it is geared essentially to action. That is why the Bishops are keen for it to be known as widely as possible. We need action – in our own lives, in the Church and in society as a whole. Continue reading →

Media Release, 26 November, 2013

The Joy of the Gospel for Australians – Reflections on Pope Francis’ first Apostolic Exhortation from leaders of the Church

“The joy of the Gospel is for all people: no one can be excluded.” (EG23)

Challenging all Christians to joyfully share Christ’s love with others is the essence of Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis’ first Apostolic Exhortation. Released only hours ago, the conversational teaching document guides and shapes evangelisation and provides “practical implications for the Church’s mission today” (EG18).

Incorporating the Synod on New Evangelisation and his Latin American roots, Pope Francis welcomes all those who “no longer experience the consolation born of faith” and recognises all who express their commitment and beliefs in different ways. “We need to move from a pastoral ministry of mere conservation to a decidedly missionary pastoral ministry” (EG15).

Catholic Mission and Catholic Religious Australia’s Mission Network have partnered to address the opportunities and challenges Evangelii Gaudium presents to Australians living and leading mission across ministries. They have brought together 12 Catholic Australian leaders from multiple sectors to contribute their reflections and will publish these in a book, scheduled for release in mid-December 2013.
Divine Word Missionaries Provincial, Fr Tim Norton SVD is one of the contributors and writes: “This is an exciting opportunity to reflect and respond to Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, particularly in an Australian context. Some of the challenges before us, especially in multi-cultural Australian parishes, are uniquely ours and the Pope’s message is a clear guide to how we can proceed in a wholesome, life giving way that encompasses everyone.”

The book is only the first step planned in bringing the document to life and assisting Australians in making Pope Francis’ words realised. The start of the 2014 new year will see one day colloquiums held across the country, inviting participants not only to learn from the document, but also to implement its teachings in their lives. Additionally, a national conference will bring the country together for a multi-sector dialogue on mission and evangelisation in May 2015.

Catholic Mission’s National Director Martin Teulan is enthusiastic about the project and the opportunities it will provide Australians to reflect on their role in mission and evangelisation. “The Pope’s enthusiasm is infectious and we greatly appreciate the opportunity to share and contribute to this timely document. Pope Francis’ message is clear: “An evangelising community gets involved…Throughout the world, let us be in a permanent state of mission.” (EG24,25).”

For more information and all media enquiries, please contact Mr Martin Teulan on 02 9919 7800 or 0408 867 046.

By Francis Sullivan

This week I have written to the Attorneys-General of the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments on behalf of the Truth Justice and Healing Council (TJHC) asking them to consider a national compensation scheme for the victims of child sexual abuse.

The proposal for a national scheme was outlined in our September submission to the Royal Commission on Towards Healing.

Last week, the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Organisations released its report, Betrayal of Trust. Continue reading →

To: Archbishop Jose S Palma, D.D
President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines

Your Grace,

At this time of grave human suffering and uncertainty, it is with sadness that I write to you to convey my deepest condolences following the devastating aftermath of super Typhoon Haiyan.

I wish to assure you on behalf of myself and the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the Australian Catholic community that you and your people have been consistently in our prayers.

In the challenging months ahead, the world must act together to ensure the security and livelihoods of our brothers and sisters in the Philippines. The Catholic Church in Australia together with Caritas Australia is committed to being our expression of concrete solidarity on the ground in the Philippines, providing emergency aid and working to secure long-term opportunities for those affected by the typhoon through members of the Caritas network and social action centres in the Philippines.

Today and in the months ahead, we pray especially for those lives already lost and for those endangered by the growing crisis and that our Lord grants you and the people of the Philippines peace and strength.

Please be assured of our ongoing prayer support and any practical assistance you might need, as we work together to reach the most vulnerable communities at this difficult time.

I wish you every grace and blessing.

Fraternally yours in our Lord Jesus Christ,

Yours sincerely,

Archbishop Denis Hart
President, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

By Francis Sullivan

The long overdue guilty verdict handed down to retired priest Finian Egan last week is yet another sad and shameful story from the annals of the Catholic Church.

A few months ago I spoke with members of the Dioceses of Broken Bay at St Gerard’s Carlingford, where Egan worked. With the support of the Bishop for Broken Bay, David Walker, I was impressed with how the community was trying to assist one another and find positive ways to help the victims of this terrible abuse.

Bishop Walker spoke strongly in response to the Egan case demonstrating the open and transparent position the Church is taking with the Royal Commission.

“I again express my great sadness at the trauma and suffering victims have experienced. We continue to pray for the victims, their families and our communities…. Continue reading →

Pope Francis has invited Catholics around the world to reflect carefully, and to consider issues around the pastoral challenges of the family. This call includes a survey which invites Catholics to formulate a response to questions on the pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelisation. This is being done as part of the preparation for an Extraordinary Synod in October 2014.

This is an important opportunity to share your thoughts and suggestions on issues facing the family. The Holy Father has opened up an important dialogue about key issues that Catholics around the world face.

Among the questions and issues that the survey (entitled the Lineamenta on the ACBC website) includes are the following:

The Church’s teaching on family
The family in the context of evangelisation
Relationship between the family and person
Other challenges of today
Marriage
Pastoral care in difficult marital situations
Same-sex unions
Education of children in irregular marriages
Openness to Children

The document and questions are available on the front page of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference website www.catholic.org.au, however, the responses will be collated at a Diocesan level.

Visit your local Diocesan website, or contact the office of the Bishop for more information.

Media Release, 14 November, 2013

The Catholic Church’s Truth Justice and Healing Council will write to the Attorneys-General of the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments calling on them to start work on a national compensation scheme – with no caps – for victims of child sexual abuse.

The call comes in the wake of a recommendation from the Victorian Parliamentary Committee for a Victorian compensation scheme and recent comments by Royal Commissioner Peter McClellan that a general redress or compensation scheme should be considered.

Mr Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Truth Justice and Healing Council said that while a state-based scheme is a significant initiative, a national scheme with consistent investigative powers and compensation payments should be considered by the Federal, state and territory governments.

“It is now time for governments and other organisations to take a national approach to providing compensation and justice for the victims of child sexual abuse,” Mr Sullivan said. Continue reading →

Media Release, 14 November, 2013

Cardinal George Pell welcomed the release of the report of the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Non-Government Organisations today.

“The Report is an important document and it offers valuable recommendations to ensure that
crimes are reported, children and vulnerable people are better protected, and those who have been hurt can more easily seek justice,” Cardinal Pell said. “I welcome the publication of the Report.”

“The report details some of the serious failures in the way the church dealt with these crimes and responded to victims, especially before the procedural reforms of the mid 1990s. Irreparable damage has been caused.

“By the standards of common decency and by today’s standards, church authorities were not only slow to deal with the abuse, but sometimes did not deal with it in any appropriate way at all. This is indefensible. Continue reading →