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  Wollongong Bishop Shocked by Abuse Revelations

By Veronica Apap
Illawarra Mercury
May 22, 2009

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/wollongong-bishop-shocked-by-abuse-revelations/1520698.aspx

Wollongong's Bishop Peter Ingham.

Wollongong Catholic Bishop Peter Ingham has expressed his shock and sorrow over revelations of widespread physical and sexual abuse of children in 250 Irish Catholic care institutions from the 1930s to the 1990s.

Ireland's Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse found that for decades, thousands of children living in Catholic-run institutions were subjected to horrific abuse while authorities did nothing.

Bishop Ingham described the abuse as a tragedy.

"Equally tragic is the fact that over the decades, abuse has not been recognised for what it is and children, young people and their families have continued to suffer. Our thoughts and prayers go out to each of them," he said.

Some of the Irish priests responsible for abuse later moved to Australia, however Bishop Ingham said to the best of his knowledge none had moved to the Illawarra.

"I wish to assure the community that the Diocese of Wollongong is committed to the protection of young people and has in place comprehensive child protection policies and procedures," he said.

"Since 1996 the Catholic Church in Australia has operated under ... a set of principles and procedures for responding to complaints of abuse against personnel of the Catholic Church. Where criminal behaviour is involved, complainants are advised to notify police."

 
 

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