Archbishop Julian Porteous pens apology letter for Catholic priests’ abuse, by Jessica Howard And Rebekah Ison, Mercury (February 6, 2017)

Archbishop Julian Porteous pens apology letter for Catholic priests’ abuse

HOBART Archbishop Julian Porteous has written an open letter to Tasmanians apologising on behalf of the Catholic Church for the damage done to victims of sexual abuse.

As the final hearing of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse continues, the letter said it would be a “distressing time” for victims and there would be shame brought on the Catholic community.

“Here in Tasmania I have initiated a program entitled ‘Safe Communities’ which is drawing on the outcomes from the Royal Commission and will ensure the highest level of safety for children and vulnerable people,” the letter said.

The royal commission heard that Catholics must hang their “heads in shame” after data on child sex abuse in the church in Australia showed 7 per cent of priests were alleged paedophiles.

The chief executive of the church’s Truth, Justice and Healing Council, Francis Sullivan, held back tears as he talked about the “massive failure on the part of the Catholic Church in Australia to protect children from abusers”.

Royal commission research showed 4444 people made allegations of abuse to 93 Catholic authorities from 1980 to 2015.

“These numbers are shocking. They are tragic and they are indefensible,” Mr Sullivan told the royal commission.

The data showed 7 per cent of priests who were members of 75 surveyed authorities between 1950 and 2010 were alleged offenders.

The Sydney hearing will include evidence from all Australian archbishops after Archbishop Porteous was added to the witness list.

It is expected to continue for three weeks and look at how structural governance and cultural factors may have contributed to the occurrence of child sexual abuse.

“I’m just thinking to myself the most powerful apology we can make is to change what has been done – the hurt, the terrible pain it is,” parish priest of St Patrick’s Church Hill in Sydney, Dr Michael Whelan, told the commission.