Special Broadcasting Service
July 14, 2008
http://news.sbs.com.au/worldnewsaustralia/sorry_not_enough_pope_told_551711
[with video]
The pope’s planned apology to Australian sex abuse victims should be delivered to them face to face, victims say.
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| Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in Sydney (Getty). |
Victims' group Broken Rites says the pontiff should also forcefully tell his Australian bishops to stop blocking victims' access to civil courts and using the statute of limitations as a get-out clause.
VIDEO: Pope arrives in Sydney
VIDEO: Pope to apologise
VIDEO: The WYD Itinerary
IN-DEPTH: World Youth Day
PHOTOGALLERY: Pope ForceOne
Pope Benedict XVI has indicated during his flight from Rome that he will use his first visit to Australia to apologise for sexual abuse by priests.
But Broken Rites spokeswoman Chris MacIsaac has told The Australian the comments so far represented nothing more than a "continuation of the Catholic Church's age-old cover-up".
"It's really just sounding like a general expression of regret, whereas we want to see the Pope apologise directly to some of the victims, who should be given a chance to speak to him," Ms MacIsaac said.
"A lot of victims feel abused twice, first as a result of the sex abuse itself, then because of the cover-up, and we think the Pope should address that as well.
"He must also tell his Australian bishops to stop blocking victims' access to justice in the civil courts."
Pope's apology 'to include compassion for survivors'
Meanwhile, Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor told SBS last night the apology would be similar to that delivered during Pope Benedict XVI's April visit to the US, when he said he was "deeply ashamed".
"No-one can take back (the) sad and tragic things that have happened," the cardinal told SBS.
"The way in which the holy father has already done this in the United States on his visit there, he will express the same kind of sorrow and compassion on his visit here.
"I think that is what is expected of him but in a way I think he has already done it, in a way that assures his deepest concern ... and to express his compassion for the survivors of abuse."
Pope enjoys quiet time at study centre
The Pope is taking a short break at a Sydney retreat ahead of his World Youth Day duties ahead of his first official engagements on Thursday.
The centre, run by Catholic organisation Opus Dei, is set on 10 hectares of bushland north-west of the city and boasts bushwalking trails, a swimming pool and tennis court.
The Pope will stay in what's described as a large, comfortable room and will be served a mix of German, Italian and Australian cuisine.
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