BishopAccountability.org
	Church Shares Blame with State By Jeremy Roberts Australian April 2, 2008 http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23470169-5006787,00.html ADELAIDE'S Anglican diocese yesterday shared the blame with the South Australian Government in failing to protect children in state care from sexual predators. Ted Mullighan's report details alleged abuse of state ward children at two Anglican institutions over the past 65 years, as well as two Catholic and three Salvation Army facilities. While the Catholic Church declined to comment yesterday, Anglican Archbishop Jeffrey Driver urged the South Australian Government to adopt all of Mr Mullighan's 54 recommendations. "I strongly support the recommendations," he said. Recalling the bitter lessons his diocese learned in the wake of the 2004 report into Anglican Church sex abuse, Archbishop Driver re-issued the church's apology. "As a church we have learnt that timely, practical and pastoral support is an essential part of supporting victims and survivors," he said. "I support the Premier's commitment to apologise." Mike Rann said he stayed awake until 1am yesterday to read the Mullighan report, and was sickened by the accounts of abuse. "Victims lived in fear that telling their story would result in punishment, rejection or even further violence and abuse," the Premier told parliament. "I am sure that all will share my abhorrence at what has happened over many decades." The report ended more than 60years of silence, in which many victims had passed away, Mr Rann said. "For those victims who have not lived to give evidence to the inquiry, we rely on those who did survive to lift the curtain of silence," he said. Deputy Leader of the Opposition Vickie Chapman claimed some credit for then Opposition leader Rob Kerin in setting up the commission in 2004. Alleged victim Priscilla Taylor, 55, was put into foster care at the age of three and grew up in a series of foster homes -- the Seaforth children's home in Adelaide and boarding houses in Adelaide and Port Augusta. She said yesterday she and other state wards had been "sitting ducks". "We did not belong to anybody ... we were nobody." The Mullighan Commission concluded that Ms Taylor was sexually abused as soon as she was removed from her mother. "I said I didn't like it, but it didn't make any difference," she said tearfully. Among the victims who welcomed the release of "Uncle Ted's report" yesterday was Ron (not his real name). He is the leading litigant in more than 100 civil cases being prepared by former state ward victims seeking compensation from the state government. Ron, 46, said the release of the Mullighan report came as a huge relief. "It's fantastic to have the stories put out there," he said. "I'm glad it's over for me and all of the other wards."
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.