Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Reforms 'must follow Pope's apology'

Victims' rights groups say Pope Benedict's apology to Australian sexual abuse victims this week will only be effective if the Catholic Church commits to making itself more accountable.

"It is essential for the church to prevent, to reconcile, to help," he said.

It is not the first time the pontiff has used an international visit to address the issue. In the US earlier this year, the pontiff pledged to heal the church from the damage done by sexual abuse there.

Many in the Catholic Church, including Australian Catholic University vice-chancellor Professor Greg Craven, say the apology will help resolve longstanding issues surrounding sexual abuse within the Australian church.

"I think that Australian Catholics will really welcome this from the Holy Father as yet another proof that the church is determined to move past and to really put behind it some very unfortunate episodes," he said.

Priest and lawyer Frank Brennan says he is confident an apology will help soothe the wounds of those sexually abused.

"We Australians, of course, have very high standards on this sort of thing now since the formal apology by our Parliament to the Aboriginal people, where there has to be the right symbolism, the right feel and also the commitment to concerted further action," he said.

"But I think Benedict as Pope has very good form on this in terms of what he did in the United States."

'Victims re-abused by process'

Sydney's Archbishop, Cardinal George Pell, spent most of last week fighting off criticism over the church's handling of a sexual abuse case brought by former religious teacher Anthony Jones.

ABC TV's Lateline program revealed the Cardinal had misled Mr Jones by telling him a church investigation had not upheld his complaint against Father Terence Goodall.

Cardinal Pell stated he knew of no other sex offences committed by the priest when he had simultaneously upheld a complaint from a man abused when just 11 years old.

The Archbishop has ordered an investigation into the matter.

Chris MacIsaac, from sexual abuse advocacy group Broken Rites, has been a strong critic of Cardinal Pell's actions.

Ms MacIsaac says an apology by Pope Benedict is a good start but the church must also address systemic problems in the way it deals with sexual abuse.

"We want the church also to recognise that there's been a level of abuse from the bishops themselves with the handling of this," she said.

"We are constantly hearing from victims that they feel re-abused by the church process, by the bishops' reaction to their claim."

Ms MacIsaac also says the Pope should make the apology directly to victims.

Transparency

Cardinal Pell says any papal comments on the issue of sexual abuse will be a welcome contribution.

Father Frank Brennan says an apology from Pope Benedict sends a strong signal to church leaders in Australia.

"I think it highlights two things," he said. "One is that when church leaders themselves make mistakes, they should apologise.

"The second is that it highlights that there has to be a very firm commitment to proper processes and what we're looking at here are issues not just to do with sexual abuse but with the transparent exercise of power."

The Pope is resting at a Catholic study retreat in Kenthurst after arriving at Sydney's Richmond air force base.

He will begin official duties for World Youth Day events on Thursday.
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