AUSTRALIA
Daily Mail
AAP
Ballarat Bishop Paul Bird says he hopes the child abuse royal commission provides some healing for victims.
The royal commission has heard the community in the Victorian regional city is divided, with groups “at war” over the response to the history of child sexual abuse in the Ballarat diocese.
Bishop Bird agreed the leaders of the church, not just in Ballarat, needed to tell the community that it was a good thing for abuse victims to come forward.
“I’ve said it several times but I would need to continue to say it because some people don’t see that that’s a good thing,” he told the commission.
He said some people did not appreciate the full impact of the abuse.
Reading a statement to reporters, Bishop Bird apologised to victims.
“I have been very moved and I am very sorry that as young children they endured such horrendous abuse at the hands of the very people who should have cared for them.
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