New bishop for diocese in abuse inquiry

AUSTRALIA
Sky News

The first woman to lead an Anglican diocese in Australia says the church has made the cultural changes needed to address the issue of child sexual abuse.

The incoming Anglican Bishop of Grafton, the Reverend Dr Sarah Macneil, says her new diocese has been up front about admitting failings in how it handled abuse allegations.

On the same day as her appointment was announced, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse began hearings into how the Grafton Diocese responded to abuse allegations at a Lismore children’s home.

Her appointment follows former bishop of Grafton Keith Slater’s resignation and apology for mishandling abuse claims at the North Coast Children’s Home.

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