Smiling Church Abuse Witness Says Sorry

The Sky News
November 26, 2013

http://www.skynews.com.au/national/article.aspx?id=928256

The former head of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton has apologised for smiling while giving evidence at a royal commission into the church's response to child sex abuse claims.

The commission is examining the response of the NSW north coast diocese to claims of child abuse involving clergy and staff at the former North Coast Children's Home in Lismore.

Giving evidence on Tuesday, the former bishop Keith Slater apologised for smiling during his testimony on Monday.

'I was aware, after the session yesterday, that I had been smiling at various points,' he said.

'I recognise the gravity and the seriousness of the matters that are before us ... But smiling is very much a part of the interaction with the person with whom I'm speaking.'

He said he 'apologised in advance if I may seem to smile at a time which is not appropriate'.

The bishop quit his diocesan post in May.

He is giving evidence about an $825,000 settlement negotiated in 2007 with a group of about 40 former residents of North Coast Children's Home, who claimed to have suffered sexual, physical and psychological abuse there.

The former diocesan leader conceded to counsel assisting the commission, Simeon Beckett, that in brokering a settlement with the group he was trying to get the 'best outcome for the church'.

'I guess that would be a way of putting it, yes,' he said.

He also conceded the approach taken to negotiations could be construed as 'unduly harsh' given the abuse victims suffered.

The hearing continues.