Oz Catholic Church Admits It 'Failed' Sex Abuse Victims

The Truthdive
September 21, 2012

http://truthdive.com/2012/09/21/Oz-Catholic-Church-admits-it-failed-sex-abuse-victims.html

Sydney, Sept 21 (ANI): A Catholic Church in Melbourne has admitted it failed to extend support to victims of sexual abuse, and admitted that it was 'too slow to react' to the complaints of abuse.

Four Victorian dioceses made a report in response to a Victorian State Government inquiry into the handling of child abuse by religious and other non-government organisations.

According to the Herald Sun, Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne Denis Hart said in a statement the report, titled Facing the Truth, was open about the church's failings.

"In Facing the Truth we have been open about the horrific abuse that has occurred in Victoria and elsewhere," he said.

"The submission shows how the Church of today is committed to facing up to the truth and to not disguising, diminishing or avoiding the actions of those who have betrayed a sacred trust," he added.

According to the paper, Catholic Church spokesman Fr Shane Mackinlay said the church had been 'too slow to react' when the first complaints of abuse emerged, instead believing offenders' claims that their actions would not be repeated.

"We for many years lacked insight into understanding child abuse, understanding both what sort of abuse this was in terms of offenders and also the devastating and life-lasting impact that it has on victims," he said in the report.

"We took too long to respond decisively and effectively … we were slow to believe victims when they first started to come forward," he added. (ANI)