Apology Prompts Compensation Calls, Herald Sun, July 19, 2008

Apology Prompts Compensation Calls

Herald Sun
July 19, 2008

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24044337-5005961,00.html

ONLY hours after Pope Benedict XVI apologised to victims of abuse at the hands of Catholic clergy, calls for compensation have begun.

The Pope apologised this morning during a ceremony to consecrate the altar of St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney as part of World Youth Day activities.

"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," Pope Benedict said in his homily.

Not enough ... Anthony and Christine Fosterwhose two daughters were abused by a priest, have described the apology by Pope Benedict XVI for sex abuse by Australian clergy as disappointing

Hetty Johnston, executive director of the child sexual assault advocacy group Bravehearts, applauded the Pope but said the next step must now be taken.

"The victims should now be properly compensated and the church needs to deliver all allegations to police for investigation.

"For the victims it's going to be interesting to see if anything changes as a result of those words. I believe it will, I hope it will."

Ms Johnston said she hoped the Catholic Church would follow the Anglican Church's lead, which had improved in "leaps and bounds".

"He is the leader of the church and we hope this will filter through the ranks and the Catholic Church can regain the trust of the people," she said.

A man fighting for compensation after being sexually assaulted by a priest said the apology was meaningless unless the church overhauled its compensation policy.

The leader of the Catholic Church in Australia, Sydney Archbishop Cardinal George Pell, was criticised for dismissing abuse allegations against Father Terrence Goodall that were later proven in court.

In the face of claims he misled the victim, Anthony Jones, Dr Pell said his response had been "badly worded".

Mr Jones said the Pontiff should apologise individually to all victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by the clergy.

"The message confuses me because I can't see it being translated into effect into the local church when there is poor compensation," Mr Jones said.

He said the church's compensation cap of $50,000 was insulting to victims.

Helen Last, spokeswoman for clergy sexual abuse advocacy group In Good Faith and Associates, said victims needed practical action to ease their suffering.

Ms Last called for carers to be engaged to help counsel and care for victims, insisting they be involved in any policy developments stemming from today's apology.

"(Victims) have been eliminated from these procedures, they've not had a structural part in them, their experiences are sidelined," she said.

"They need to be now totally involved in conferences, in setting up policies and procedures and in making the church put the resources into this area, making the church pay the cost of appropriate personnel and appropriate services and systems because it is a very meagre response."