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	Apology Not Enough, Say Victims By Adam Bennett The Australian July 19, 2008 http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24044015-12377,00.html A MAN whose daughters were raped by a Melbourne priest says the Pope's apology to abuse victims is disappointing in that it offers no practical help to those who have suffered. Pope Benedict XVI, in Sydney for World Youth Day (WYD) celebrations, today apologised to people sexually abused by members of the clergy in Australia. "I would like to pause to acknowledge the shame which we have all felt as a result of the sexual abuse of minors by some clergy and religious in this country," Pope Benedict said in his homily at St Mary's Cathedral. "Indeed I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering the victims have endured and I assure them that, as their pastor, I too share in their suffering." Anthony Foster and his wife Christine this week cut short a UK holiday and flew to Sydney in the hope of securing an audience with the Pope or Sydney Archbishop Cardinal George Pell. Melbourne priest Kevin O'Donnell raped the couple's two daughters, Emma and Katherine, when they were in primary school. O'Donnell died in prison about 10 years ago, and the Fosters have accused the Catholic church of stalling their compensation claim, which was eventually settled out of court after an eight-year legal battle. Emma Foster committed suicide this year at the age of 26, while her sister Katherine drank heavily and was left disabled when she was hit by a drunk driver in 1999. Mr Foster today said the papal apology was disappointing. "They are only words - the same thing we've been hearing for 13 years. It is simply an apology, there is nothing practical there which is what we were looking for. "The Pope apologised in the past to America, and what we are very concerned about is the lack of practical help for the victims. This is a first step that had been taken long ago." Mr Foster blamed his daughter's suicide on the drawn out handling of her abuse claim. "We've had apologies from Cardinal Pell and other bishops in Australia before," Mr Foster said. "What we haven't had is an unequivocal, unlimited practical response that provides for all the victims for their lifetime." Pope in charge John Hennessey, a spokesman for victims of abuse at the hands of Christian Brothers schools across Australia, said the Pontiff's apology had "practically chastised" Dr Pell and World Youth Day co-ordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher. "I thought that Cardinal Pell and Bishop Fisher were going to win in the end, but the Pope has taken over as the leader and he's put them all on notice," Mr Hennessey said. "(It's) absolutely beautiful. The Pope has practically chastised them. He didn't have to use the words shame and betrayal and he used the words compassion and care." Mr Hennessey said he spoke on behalf of hundreds of silent victims and was "absolutely encouraged and delighted" by the papal apology. "I sincerely congratulate His Holiness for being brave enough to show leadership to the world that he's not going to put up with this any more," he said.
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