After the Mea Culpa the Church Has a Lot of Healing to Do, by Barney Zwartz, The Age, July 4, 2010

After the Mea Culpa, the Church Has a Lot of Healing to Do

By Barney Zwartz
The Age
July 4, 2010

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/after-the-mea-culpa-the-church-has-a-lot-of-healing-to-do-20100704-zvtu.html

YOU can tell a bishop is serious if he gives up the entire sermon at Sunday Mass to a mea culpa ("I'm to blame"), even when it's a corporate one on behalf of the Catholic Church.

So no one at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne yesterday seemed to doubt that Archbishop Denis Hart was sincere in his apology to victims of sexual abuse by clergy.

On the other hand, not many seemed to regard it as much of a seminal moment, and few picked up the pastoral letter on sexual abuse that stood in neat piles on a table by the door.

The massive cathedral was barely a quarter full when Archbishop Hart rose to speak from the pastoral letter, acknowledging the church's shame and failure over the scourge of sexual abuse.

Resplendent in green and gold (though less from patriotic fervour than to mark the liturgical calendar), Archbishop Hart employed all his natural dignity.

"We are all painfully aware that our church is going through a terrible time of suffering and self-examination," he said. The abuse epidemic around the world had caused great distress to priests and people alike, but the church was determined to do better.

Parishioners welcomed his evident sincerity, but many felt there had been enough publicity. "I think this should be an end to it. We are making too much fuss," said an Italian Catholic after the service.

"I think there's a worldwide vendetta against the Holy Father because he's German."

Patricia, 67, said the abuse crisis had driven her children out of the church. "There's been so much hurt and shock - we revered these people [priests]. The church has a lot of healing to do. If Jesus came back now he'd be horrified."

An American visitor said, "I wish my parish at home would do something similar."

Later, Archbishop Hart told The Age that he had spoken to several priests to gauge reaction around the archdiocese.

"The response has been overwhelmingly positive that we are facing it, and moving forward," he said. "People are grateful that the situation is being clarified."

Former nun and double abuse victim Catherine Arthur (standing) with Helen Last (centre), an advocate representing victims of abuse, and abuse victim Noreen Wood, in Melbourne yesterday.
Photo by Luis Enrique Ascui

Double victim Catherine Arthur, a former nun, was not convinced. Like other victims, she felt he was indeed ashamed, but not ashamed enough.

"I feel a little cynical. If what he said was true and he followed up, it would be very good, but it's all been said and nothing happens," she said.

Geelong priest Kevin Dillon, a noted advocate for victims, said he thought the apology was a good start that might lead to an improved process for dealing with abuse complaints.

Father Dillon has put himself somewhat at odds with his archbishop by suggesting the 14-year-old protocol would profit from a review.

"The only people who can tell if the system really is working [are] those whom it is designed to assist, and we just have to ask them," he said.

Like victims' advocates who say simply meeting the archbishop as adults together would be a huge advance, he said: "I'm hoping this will lead to a real meeting around the table …"