Time for Bishops to Step Back

By Philippa McDonald
ABC - Lateline
November 29, 2012

www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2012/s3643334.htm

[with video]

TONY JONES, PRESENTER: The senior ranks of the Catholic Church look set to take a back seat role at the royal commission into sexual abuse.

The Church's most senior woman has told the ABC that the bishops will no longer lead the Church's response to the royal commission because they're too close to the problem.

Sister Annette Cunliffe says they will step aside to allow lay experts to speak for the Church.

Today Sister Annette joined senior clergy from around the country meeting behind closed doors in Sydney to formulate how the Church will confront the growing crisis.

Philippa McDonald reports.

PHILIPPA MCDONALD, REPORTER: This is the woman on the inside of the most exclusive club in Australia's Catholic Church.

There are 42 bishops and archbishops at the table. How many women are there inside that meeting?

ANNETTE CUNLIFFE, CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS AUSTRALIA: Two.

PHILIPPA MCDONALD: Sister Annette Cunliffe is the president of the peak body for the nation's 180 Catholic orders of bishops and nuns and she's deeply critical of the culture of silence.

ANNETTE CUNLIFFE: I think we try to protect our members as much as we can and sometimes inadvisedly.

PHILIPPA MCDONALD: Sister Annette is also the leader of an order of nuns which remains a significant force in the nation's Catholic hospitals and education. And she says the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, doesn't speak for everyone.

ANNETTE CUNLIFFE: Some of his views perhaps came across as somewhat defensive and I think people feel that this is not the time for being defensive, it is the time for being open and honest.

PHILIPPA MCDONALD: A spokesperson for Cardinal George Pell says, "Commenting on perceptions is not the issue, it's decisions and actions that will be taken in responding to the royal commission that is important, especially for the victims of abuse."

But Sister Annette says now bishops are set to step aside and let a special committee of non-religious people represent the Church on the issue of sexual abuse.

ANNETTE CUNLIFFE: They are the experts. The bishops and archbishops and ourselves are not as skilful or as - and perhaps we're too close to the problem.

CHRIS MCISAAC, BROKEN RITES: Where have these experts been? Why haven't they been putting input in before this? The bishops know what they have done wrong. We want them to admit that and come forward and to speak to the Royal commission in person.

PHILIPPA MCDONALD: Sister Annette says it's 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.

Philippa McDonald, Lateline.