AUSTRALIA
ABC News
Newcastle’s Anglican Bishop has fought back tears while apologising for past church cover-ups and the poor handling of complaints about child sexual abuse.
Greg Thompson has spent 500 days in the job, and to mark that milestone today he talked of cover-ups, collusion and intimidation.
He said that system of operation within the church hierarchy is over.
“I’m devastated by the accounts of abuse,” he said.
“I am so sorry for the terrible harm done and by a culture that would not listen.”
He said there was a culture that allowed bullying and abuse, and there was a system of intimidation that left victims silent.
Bishop Thompson said more than $4 million has already been paid to abuse survivors in the Hunter, but no amount of money can compensate them for their pain.
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