AUSTRALIA
ABC – Lateline
[with video]
The Archibishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, has admitted the church covered up sexual abuse claims against priests and has been slow to act on abuse claims.
Transcript
EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: The Archbishop of Melbourne has admitted the Church covered up allegations of sexual abuse by priests.
Denis Hart told Victoria’s parliamentary abuse inquiry that the Church takes full responsibility for its actions, but his contrition provided little comfort for abuse victims and their families.
Hamish Fitzsimmons reports from Melbourne on Archbishop Hart’s long-anticipated appearance.
HAMISH FITZSIMMONS, REPORTER: Much of the focus of this parliamentary inquiry into abuse by organisations has been on the crimes committed by clergy in the Ballarat region of Central Victoria. But the state’s most senior Catholic was today addressing the situation in the nation’s second largest city.
DENIS HART, ARCHBISHOP OF MELBOURNE: My evidence today will solely refer to the Archdiocese of Melbourne.
HAMISH FITZSIMMONS: The inquiry was told that of the 1,748 priests who’ve worked in Victoria, less than four per cent have been sexual offenders – 59 priests according to Archbishop Hart. At the same time, the Archbishop recognises the damage that’s been done to the 300 victims recorded in Melbourne so far
DENIS HART: I acknowledge that our incapacity to see and to react to this situation in a timely way has given rise to the need for this inquiry. I understand that the community is looking for someone to take responsibility for the terrible acts that occurred. I take responsibility.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.