Sufferers of sexual abuse a focus in Easter messages

AUSTRALIA
The Australian

Jared Owens
From:The Australian
March 30, 2013

CHRISTIAN leaders across Australia have urged believers to reflect on social injustice this Easter, especially those “shattered” by sexual abuse, living in poverty on our streets or struggling with diseases such as HIV/AIDS.

As Pope Francis broke tradition by washing and kissing the feet of young female sinners at a Roman prison, Cardinal George Pell cited the newly elected pontiff’s call for believers to carry the Christian message “certainly in our conversations and official teaching, but especially through our care for one another”.

“Once again the Easter message comes from Francis of Assisi – peace and goodness, especially to those who are suffering, to those wounded by Catholic church members, to the sick, the depressed, the bereaved, those experiencing misfortune,” the Archbishop of Sydney said in a video message from Rome.

“Deeds are more important than words. Christ is risen, and the victory over evil will one day be complete.”

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