AUSTRALIA
The Courier
ANOTHER important day in the history of institutionalised sexual abuse was reached yesterday with the first sitting of the royal commission in Melbourne.
As uncomfortable and lengthy as the royal commission is predicted to be, it promises to provide an opportunity for ultimate discovery of the truth.
Through the state government’s own inquiry, Victorians have seen that the impact of institutional sexual abuse continues to adversely affect victims, their families and the wider community. As we have heard in recent months, Ballarat remains an epicentre of the issue.
While the Catholic Church is not the only institution facing scrutiny through the royal commission, its response will be watched with considerable interest.
The church, through its Truth, Justice and Healing Council chief executive Francis Sullivan yesterday suggested it was time for full disclosure: “People have to brace themselves, but the reality is that unless we know what the facts are we won’t be able to get justice for victims. A lot of ordinary Catholics, though, want to see the church stand up here in this process, reveal its story and its truth,” he said.
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