AUSTRALIA
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Perth
To download a copy of Archbishop Costelloe’s FULL LETTER, please click here (Word 97 – 61KB).
Below is a shortened version of the Archbishop’s Letter containing the main points. This shortened version is also available to download. Please click here (Word 97 – 57KB).
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In the coming weeks the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse will turn its attention specifically to the Catholic Church and particularly to the Church’s Towards Healing programme through which people can bring complaints of child sexual abuse to the Church.
Terrible stories of abuse of children and young people by Catholic priests, religious and other Church workers, will be revealed or, in some cases, revisited. This will be distressing primarily for the survivors of sexual abuse themselves and for those who love and care about them.
It is time for the Church to recognise in shame that so many people have suffered, and continue to suffer. We acknowledge that this terrible betrayal has at times been compounded by our leaders who failed to recognise the presence of this evil in our midst and respond promptly with decisiveness and courage.
As Archbishop, I would like to say that:
– I offer my sincere and unreserved apology to all those affected by this terrible abuse;
– I apologise to your families, loved ones and friends who have suffered with you and alongside you;
– I apologise to the wider community for our failure to live up to the high ideals to which we as Church aspire.
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