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	Archbishop's Letter 'Inadequate' Sky News July 4, 2010 [the archbishop's pastoral letter] http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=480557&articleID= The director of Melbourne victim's advocacy group In Good Faith Helen Last has welcomed a public apology by Catholic Archbishop Denis Hart but says the response is absolutely inadequate for victims of clergy abuse. The apology letter is being distributed to every Catholic church in the Melbourne diocese this weekend. Ms Last has challenged Archbishop Denis Hart to produce evidence that victims are satisfied with it and says a more wholistic response is needed one would expect from a church and not a business organisation. Her comment follows criticism from Christine and Anthony Foster the Melbourne parents of two girls sexually abused by the same parish priest. They say Archbishop Hart's letter claiming clergy abuses are well in the past has left them feeling angry and frustrated. Catholic Archbishop Denis Hart issued the unreserved apology to victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests in a pastoral letter to be read out in every Mass in Melbourne this weekend. Archbishop Hart says in the letter that the sexual outrages and breaches of vows committed by some priests brought shame upon the entire church. 'How can we Catholics not be shocked and shamed?' Archbishop Hart asks. He says that in the past 14 years about 300 people have been compensated as victims of sexual abuse within the Archdiocese. He says most of the attacks occurred decades ago. 'We have sought to do everything in our power to bring these victims aid, consolation and, if possible, reconciliation with the church,' he says. 'They have been given access to compensation, on-going counselling and medical support. 'As Archbishop of Melbourne, I once again express my deep sorrow and offer a sincere and unreserved apology to all victims of sexual abuse, and to their families.' He encouraged victims to report any cases to the police, saying 86 offenders have been identified over an 80-year period - 60 of them were priests within the Melbourne Archdiocese. He says that since 1996 the church had introduced measures, known as the Melbourne Response, to protect parishioners and children against sexual abuse. He said there is rigorous screening of all people who aspire to the priesthood and seminarians are required to undertake study of the church's code of conduct for priests. 'We cannot completely set right the wrongs of the past and take away the anguish of victims of abuse and their families,' he says. 'Nevertheless I believe the Melbourne Response goes a long way towards addressing compassionately the issue of sexual abuse in the Melbourne Archdiocese.'
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