AUSTRALIA
Coffs Coast Advocate
A “SEARING and decisive moment in the history of the Australian Catholic Church” uncovered decades of child sex abuse allegations and prompted an apology to victims across the country as the royal commission returned to Sydney today.
The commission is looking at Church’s response to victims of child sex abuse through its counselling program Towards Healing, which was offered across northern NSW and south-east Queensland from the mid 90s.
Monday’s hearing was marked with tears, angry outbursts, disturbing revelations about a Brisbane priest who had fathered the child of one of his young victims and a controversial opening statement made by the man representing the Church, Peter Grey.
His seemingly tasteless introductory biblical scripture containing the words “let the little children come to me” prompted several witnesses to let out audible groans and walk out of the room but was followed by some long-awaited admissions on behalf of the Church and a warning to senior religious leaders to abandon the culture of secrecy.
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