Canberra-Goulburn Archbishop asks for forgiveness over absence at abuse healing service

ABC News
November 13, 2016

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-11-12/archbishop-christopher-prowse-regrets-healing-service-absence/8020124

A liturgy was held at Marist College on Thursday for sexual abuse survivors.

Canberra-Goulburn Catholic Archbishop Christopher Prowse asked for forgiveness over his absence.

The Archbishop of the Canberra-Goulburn region has responded to criticism over his absence at an abuse healing service at Marist College earlier this week.

Advocates for victims of child abuse hit out at Archbishop Christopher Prowse, labelling his decision not to attend "appalling".

In a statement, Archbishop Prowse said "some victims of child abuse have been offended by my non-attendance at the recent Liturgy of Lament at Marist College, Canberra".

"In hindsight, I believe they are correct," he said.

The all-boys Catholic school in Canberra's south held a liturgy for abuse survivors on Thursday, at which its headmaster and the Provincial of the Marist Brothers apologised for abuse that took place at the school, and subsequent failures to deal with it effectively.

Archbishop Prowse gave the event his blessing but chose not to attend in person.

He was represented at the event by two other priests.

"I should have been there to support directly survivors who have suffered terribly at the school in past times."

"I regret my decision. I ask sincerely for forgiveness from those whom I have offended," he said.

Many instances of abuse committed by Marist staff in the 1970s and 1980s were examined during hearings at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse.