Victim Welcomes Apology

Maitland Mercury
July 1, 2013

http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/1609333/victim-welcomes-apology/?cs=171

A man who suffered abuse at the hands of disgraced priest James Fletcher has applauded Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle Bill Wright for his heartfelt apology to victims of clergy abuse.

Vacy man Peter Gogarty was at Newcastle Supreme Court yesterday when Bishop Wright delivered his response to the Special Commission of Inquiry Concerning the Investigation of Certain Child Sexual Abuse Allegations in the Hunter Region.

“Hearing this apology was a complete surprise, but I thought it was quite heartfelt and I am grateful to him for doing that,” Mr Gogarty said.

“I thought it was a very positive gesture on the bishop’s behalf. He seems to be a very good, decent man who is genuinely upset by this abuse and I think he is appalled that the church allowed this to happen.

“Full credit to him.”

Mr Gogarty was abused by James Fletcher when he was a child.

Now 52, Mr Gogarty hopes the findings of the commission will give “good ordinary Catholics their church back”.

“This commission is very taxing but I believe it is worth it,” he said.

“It is of huge symbolic significance that someone like me is able to ask questions and it sends the message to victims everywhere that the boot is firmly on the other foot.

“The victims are now the centre of everyone’s attention.”