AUSTRALIA
The Age
December 4, 2012
Judy Courtin
Victims were wronged by the Catholic church and governments too.
WITH a celebratory, yet very holy, time of the year approaching, it is time to reflect on the rapidly unfolding religious revolution in Australia.
This uprising is the stuff of the thousands of victims of Catholic clergy sex crimes, and their families. After decades of obstruction and further harm from a self-serving, dishonest and defiant church, these courageous people have rallied with their loud and clear collective voice.
This voice has finally overpowered what have previously been resistant federal governments, all of which have been shamefully beholden to the Catholic Church.
The national royal commission, announced by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, will indeed nourish this revolution.
While governments can be congratulated for taking a stand and doing the right thing, it is not for governments to politicise these matters or to demand the spotlight. The acclaim must go to those so badly and criminally wronged. Wronged primarily by the institution of the Catholic Church, but also by the inexcusable neglect and deaf ears of all governments over too many years. Governments should be hanging their heads in shame and saying sorry for past failures to act.
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