Rockhampton's Catholic Bishop apologises to child sex abuse victims

By Chloe Lyons
CQ News
February 7, 2017

http://www.cqnews.com.au/news/rockhamptons-catholic-bishop-apologises-to-child-s/3140589/

Bishop Michael McCarthy

THE Catholic Bishop of Rockhampton has apologised to victims of child sex abuse after a new report provides details of the horrific levels of historic offending in the Diocese.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has released a report which contains details of the abuse of children within the Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton.

It is claimed in the report 8% of priests who worked in the Diocese between 1950 and 2009 had had a claim of child sex abuse made against them at some stage in their career.

This percentage was 1.3% between 2000 and 2009.

In statement released on Friday, Francis Sullivan of the Truth, Justice and Healing Council said the data contained in reports about the church would "reveal a horrific picture of the extent of the claims of abuse by priests and brothers whose responsibility was to protect and care for children”.

"The data will shock and confront the community and will once again make plain the extent of the suffering, damage and loss victims of abuse have endured,” Mr Sullivan said.

Catholic Bishop of Rockhampton Michael McCarthy apologised for the hurt caused to victims.

"I am saddened and distressed by the abuse that occurred and again, I apologise for the hurt and distress that it was has caused and for the experience and the pain that has been carried by so many survivors of child sexual abuse,” Most Rev McCarthy said.

"I reaffirm my commitment to doing everything I can to ensure our Church is a safe place for all especially the young and most vulnerable.”