Church Working Hard to Prevent Abuse, ABC News, June 25, 2008

Church 'Working Hard' to Prevent Abuse

ABC News
June 25, 2008

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/06/25/2285368.htm

The Catholic Archbishop of Canberra says the church is doing everything it can to ensure there is no repeat of the sexual abuse of pupils at the city's Marist College.

Former teacher John William Chute, 76, - who is also known as Brother Kostka - was jailed for two years earlier this week after pleading guilty to molesting six students at the school in the 1980s.

John Chute was sentenced to two years jail on Monday for molesting six students.
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The Marist Brothers have apologised to the victims.

Archbishop Mark Coleridge says, while there can be no guarantees, the church is working hard to prevent any further abuse.

"I think we're doing our best, but sadly in this sort of area I can't sit here and say to you we've weeded out absolutely everyone and it's never going to happen again," he said.

"I wish I could say that and we'll do absolutely everything we can to make sure it happens, but I can't say it.

"But we are certainly doing our best."

Three civil claims have already been lodged in the ACT Supreme Court against the Trustees of the Marist Brothers and about 20 more are expected to be lodged by the end of this week.

The victims are seeking compensation for the abuse they suffered under Chute, as well as the late Paul Lyons who taught at Marist and Daramalan colleges.