Key Catholic Flags Overhaul of Abuse Response

By Philippa McDonald
7 News
November 28, 2012

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A key figure in the Catholic Church has told the ABC it is set to make significant changes to the way it handles its response to the issue of sexual abuse.

Sister Annette Cunliffe, the president of Catholic Religious Australia, the body representing 180 orders, says the church hierarchy has been defensive and perhaps too close to the problem of abuse in the church.

The church is the subject of unprecedented scrutiny after the announcement of a royal commission into institutional abuse.

She described recent public statements by the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, as disappointing and says a new way in dealing with abuse claims is needed to move forward.

"I think I hope that we are looking at greater openness and less defensiveness, so that we can open this crime to the light of day to what God would want of truth and honesty," she said.

Sister Annette, who will be one of just two women attending this week's Catholic Bishops Conference, says changes to be announced soon will see the introduction of people from outside the church appointed to a committee to handle claims of abuse.

This would leave bishops with less influence in responding to the issue.

"The view that I've been expressing is that we must be open and transparent, that we must include in any group that's taking us forward, people who are actually not Catholics, who come from outside, so that it is not seen as an internal plan, program, cover up or anything of that nature," she said.

"A committee is being formed - I don't know all the details about it - but there is going to be a process where there are a number of people, a larger number of people, who are not religious or bishops, who are involved in taking the process forward.

"They are the experts. The bishops and archbishops and ourselves are not."

Sister Annette says it is time for a new era in the Catholic Church where families no longer feel betrayed, and those doing good work for the poor and disadvantaged can hold their heads up high again.

"Hopefully the beginning of a new era of openness and of collaboration within the whole church to ensure that as far as possible, this does not happen again."