AUSTRALIA
Christianity Today
Mr Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Truth Justice and Healing Council, has delivered his first wide ranging public speech on the issues and approach the Catholic Church’s independent advisory group will take in the lead up to and throughout the Royal Commission into child abuse.
Mr Sullivan said the 13-member Council, made up of 10 lay people including four who have been victims of clerical sexual abuse or have family members who have been abused, would provide independent advice on reforms to the Church across a range of issues.
Mr Sullivan, speaking to the St Thomas More Forum in Canberra last night, spoke extensively about how the victims of clerical abuse had been treated by the Church in the past and currently.
“We need to put in place better systems, processes, redress and contrition that says, in one way or another – you are damaged, we believe you, we are sorry, we want to help you heal and we are working to try to make sure that what you went through never happens again.
“We have to examine a culture which has allowed secrecy and silence, intimidation, legalism and obfuscation to let sexual abuse happen.”
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