AUSTRALIA
The Age
February 15, 2013
Barney Zwartz
Religion editor, The Age
One of Victoria’s most senior Catholic priests says the church’s abuse procedures have failed and must be closed down.
“Time is up, the church has had more than a fair chance. The Melbourne Response and Towards Healing have lost all credibility and are beyond repair,” Father Kevin Dillon told the Victorian inquiry into clergy sex abuse, meeting in Geelong on Friday.
Father Dillon of St Mary’s Basilica, who was given a standing ovation by the gallery after his testimony, said the church response had been heartless, adversarial, and showed “a culture of denial” about the impact on victims.
A noted campaigner within the church on behalf of victims, Father Dillon said he had consistent contact with 30 victims. “Sadly but importantly, I have yet to hear one victim speak positively of their experience with either church process” (Melbourne or national), he said.
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