Vatican representative vows to move city from “evil past”

AUSTRALIA
The Courier

Olivia Shying
@oliviashying

31 Jul 2016

THE first Vatican representative to meet with clergy abuse survivors on Ballarat soil has vowed to do all humanly possible to help move the city forward from its “evil” past.

President of the commission for child protection of the Gregorian University Father Hans Zollner vowed to continue to work with survivors deeply affected by the scourge of abuses.

His words comes days after alleged victims of Cardinal George Pell claimed he groped their genitals in the 1970s.

Father Zollner personally backed Cardinal Pell’s March vow to work publicly to assist survivors to make the city a leading healing centre for victims impacted by the Catholic Church’s scourge of sexual abuse at the hands of clergy.

Father Zollner said Cardinal Pell’s pledge had been personal – not one officially backed by the Vatican, making it unclear if this vow would go ahead without the Cardinal.

He said research into the links between abuse, suicide and poor mental health must be done to help heal this community’s deep wounds.

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