Church Abuse Shatters Dad's Faith

By Melissa Cunningham
Maroondah Weekly
March 27, 2012

http://www.maroondahweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/church-abuse-shatters-dads-faith/2501139.aspx

Toughening laws: Healesville resident Ian Lawther, whose son was sexually abused by a priest, is hoping the findings of an inquiry presented to Parliament will help prevent such incidents from happening again. Picture: Rob Carew

IAN Lawther still has faith in God - but he doesn't attend the Catholic Church to prove it any more.

The Healesville father said he doesn't "accept dogma from any church" since his son was abused by a convicted St Brigid's parish priest more than 10 years ago.

Over the years, Mr Lawther and his family have faced heartbreak and turmoil in their fight for justice.

The crippling trauma caused him to lose three-quarters of his sight after he went into a "fit of rage" reading over his son's court documents, and burst the blood vessels in his eyes.

When the Weekly spoke to Mr Lawther last week, he welcomed the recommendations of the landmark Protecting Victoria's Vulnerable Children Inquiry, which was tabled to Parliament at the end of last month.

The year-long inquiry has recommended the state government toughen its child protection laws - including a formal investigation into the reporting of sexual abuse in religious organisations.

Headed by retired Supreme Court judge Philip Cummins, the report is now under review by the state Attorney-General. Justice Cummins's report also recommended mandatory reporting laws should apply to priests and church workers suspected of sexual abuse.

Mr Lawther said while the inquiry covered "a heck of a lot of ground", he believed there was still a long way to go.

"There needs to be a real inquiry into the Catholic Church to stop these abusers," he said. "People are too afraid to say anything and go against a hierarchical system of power that doesn't have to answer to anyone. How many more children's lives will be sacrificed before something is done?"

Ferntree Gully resident and Crime Victims Support Association president Noel McNamara said victims deserved a full inquiry.

"It's not about justice - because there were so many shocking things done to children over the years that can't be taken back - but recognition of the wrongdoings," he said. "In the past everything was brushed under the carpet. Let's bring it all out in the open and stop pretending it didn't happen."

Care Leavers Australia Network chief executive officer Leonie Sheedy said many elderly wards of the state also desperately needed a formal investigation into orphanages, religious organisations and children's homes to repair the trauma, grief, and "use and abuse" they endured in their childhood.

"Victoria needs to step out of the dark ages and follow the steps of Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania and have these stories on public record," she said.

"These marginalised people need to have their voices heard. Churches, charities and the state government must be made accountable for the damage, emotional, sexual and pyschological abuse done to thousands of victims who were raised in care."