A CATHOLIC bishop has apologised to the victims of sex abuse by clergy, in front of a NSW Hunter Valley congregation of 500. Victims, relatives and politicians attended the gathering last night at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newcastle, ABC Radio reported.
The congregation erupted with applause when Bishop Michael Malone gave the apology and said the Maitland-Newcastle diocese was committed to supporting sex abuse victims.
A victim, known only as Anne, who attended the event, said the apology was a positive step forward.
"We witnessed something special - a significant turning point," she told ABC Radio.
"I think of one of the hymns - Come From Darkness Into Light - and it's exactly what this diocese has done.
"I mean, we've had a lot of negative stuff in the past and it's amazing where we've come from to where we are today, and the journey that we've experienced. It's just great."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sacerdos