Clerical Abuse Claims 'Appalling'

By Paul Dobbyn
Catholic Leader
July 15, 2012

http://www.catholicleader.com.au/news.php/top-stories/clerical-abuse-claims-appalling_81587

YOUTH worker Salesian Father Chris Riley has described recent Four Corners reports of the cover up of sexual abuse of minors in the Catholic Church as "sickening and disappointing".

However, Towards Healing executive officer Missionary of the Sacred Heart priest Fr Tim Brennan and Bravehearts founder and executive director Hetty Johnston have both rejected demands for a national Royal Commission focused solely on allegations of sexual abuse of minors in the Catholic Church.

Fr Brennan said such calls were "simplistic".

Ms Johnston said it was "shallow indeed to concentrate on just one organisation - at end of the day it's to do with kids being sexually assaulted and the cover-ups which occur."

"Things have improved, but the Catholic Church is still an organisation with a lot of work to do in this area," she said.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) in response to the program Unholy Silence again encouraged victims of child sexual abuse by the clergy and others connected with the Church to go to the police.

The ACBC also said "it stands ready to meet with victims".

Bishop Michael Kennedy of Armidale extended his deepest sympathies to the individuals and families affected by the reported events.

He said reports of events in the 1980s and 1990s "concerning a person described as 'Father F' have disturbed me deeply".

The priest, who cannot be named for legal reasons was originally from Armidale diocese, was accused of sexually molesting altar boys in Moree and Sydney during the 1980s.

"The man in question had his priestly faculties removed on July 1, 1992 ... In addition on November 18, 2005 he was laicised," Bishop Kennedy said.

Four Corners also made allegations against a Salesian priest living in Rome.

Fr Riley, founder of Youth Off The Streets, said any priests who had allegations made against them needed to make themselves available to police so the allegations could be investigated.

"I am appalled such priests have been transferred overseas and it appears in one case is being protected," he said.

"It appears that 'Father F' admitted to Church authorities that he had abused some young people and they simply moved him.

"If these reports are true, the Church authorities should be removed from investigating any alleged abuses and should immediately call the police.

"It appears that their actions were an attempt to ensure the Church's reputation did not suffer.

"However, the exact opposite was achieved."

Fr Brennan said "there's no excusing the past but if we get lost in it we can overlook the present".

"It's important that correct procedures are in place to protect kids at Catholic events today," he said.

"I would hope all publicity which has occurred in past week would motivate Catholic people to advocate for clear behavioural guidelines at Catholic events where minors participate.

"For example, how safe are kids at Catholic events where minors participate such as Antioch, parish picnics, altar boy training and so on?" he asked.

"Are the correct standards for conduct in place?"

Ms Johnston favoured a Royal Commission into sexual abuse of minors along the lines of the Victorian Parliamentary inquiry to which Bravehearts will be presenting a submission.

"Such a commission needs to look at all organisations ... the problem is not just confined to the Catholic Church or religious organisations in general," she said.

"For example there are ongoing investigations in the military."

She said the Catholic Church should be "first in line" when it comes to being open on the issue.

"Lying and deceit is what makes people angry ... there is a need to acknowledge mistakes have been made and inaction has hurt people," she said.

"Any organisation which wants to protect its reputation and credibility needs to protect its children."

"It's certainly not about protecting offenders or bank balances."