BishopAccountability.org
	Hear Call for Church Change By Kath Gannaway Star August 25, 2009 http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/story/78894 HEALESVILLE Education and Awareness Raising (HEAR) has renewed calls made by the group two years ago for reform of the Catholic Church's process for dealing with sexual abuse by priests. Founders, Pam Krstic and Ian Lawther, spoke out last week following the conviction of former Healesville priest Paul Pavlou in June on charges relating to child sexual abuse and being in possession of child pornography. That conviction follows the conviction in 2001 of another Healesville priest, Fr David Daniel on child sex abuse charges. The church came under pressure following an Age investigation resulting from the Pavlou case in to what is known as the Melbourne Response – the process set up in 1996 by then Melbourne Archbishop George Pell to investigate abuse allegations and negotiate with victims matters of counselling and compensation. While the church hierarchy continues to reject calls for change, Ms Krstic and Mr Lawther applauded the actions of Geelong priest Fr Kevin Dillon, Newcastle Bishop Michael Malone and retired Sydney bishop Geoffrey Robinson who are backing a review. Bishop Malone's comments, describing the response from fellow bishops on the issue as a "black hole of silence" was echoed by Ms Krstic who said with the exception of a handful of people the silence at all levels, from local congregations to the hierarchy of the church, was deafening. She says those who speak out within the church are marginalised. "I don't believe the church in Melbourne will co-operate with the kind of review that is necessary unless ordinary catholic people start to say they want it done," she said. Ms Krstic said she was frustrated and upset, but not surprised that articles in the Mail revealing the impact on local victims and their families did not evoke a response. "It upsets me, but it doesn't surprise me," she said. "It's a common response that people when forced to acknowledge something as confronting as this, denial is the easiest way of dealing with it. "People think 'thank goodness it's not me, I won't let myself worry about it'," she said. She said there was validation however for victims in hearing people's outrage. "By safely talking about these things it not only helps victims but helps prevent other offences happening," she said. Mr Lawther, whose son was abused by David Daniel, said the biggest problem with child abuse was the complacency of people who had not been affected. Describing the Catholic Church's response to the issue as "arrogance" he said HEAR would continue to agitate for change. He said the fact that even a few churchmen had come out in support of victims gave him heart. "If they are not part of the solution, they are part of the problem," he said. "They need to stand up as a group and tell their bishops what is wrong with the system." HEAR can be contacted on 0410 859 059 or 0427 511 702.
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