The bishop for Newcastle Maitland Diocese Michael Malone has publicly expressed his support on the Pope to apologise to church-related sexual assault victims during his visit to Australia in July. Pope Benedict XVI will visit Australia as part of the World Youth Day celebrations.
Bishop Malone spoke on ABC’s Lateline on Monday night about the need for an apology.
“My hope would be that the Pope does (apologise),” Bishop Malone said on the program.
“He created a bit of a precedent in the United States recently, and to have that then backed by a personal meeting with some sexual abuse victims.
“I think it would be an excellent thing to do, and I could only hope that it may have brought considerable healing.”
In that meeting the Pope, on an official visit to America, pledged the church would do “everything it can” to heal the wounds caused by pedophile priests and ensure “events of this kind are no longer repeated”.
The 81-year-old pontiff took the unprecedented step of meeting with victims of predator priests.
So far, Bishop Malone is the only one to call for a papal apology.
Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox, who worked investigating assaults believed some victims would take solace in a papal apology.
Chief Insp Fox would not say if he personally agreed with the papal apology but did say several of the victims had spoken to him about the importance of an apology.
“I know victims that have expressed a desire for an apology,” he said.
“They consider it part of the healing process.”
Detective Chief Inspector Fox was unsure if the number of victims in the Hunter was higher than in other parts of the country but he did say it was of concern.
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