Melbourne's Hart Apologises for Abuse

The Sbs
May 20, 2013

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1768722/Abuse-was-covered-up-Melbourne-archbishop

Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart took responsibility for the sexual abuse of children by priests.

Melbourne's Catholic archbishop has apologised to abuse victims over what he says is one of the darkest periods in the church's history

Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart has taken responsibility for the sexual abuse of children by priests and says hearts are heavy with a deep sense of shame about their crimes.

Archbishop Hart says the scandal is one of the saddest times in his priesthood and one of the darkest chapters in the church's history.

He told a Victorian parliamentary inquiry on Monday he would work with the community on "the eradication of this awful evil".

"Hearts are heavy with a deep sense of shame and dismay about the crimes of sexual abuse by those who were supposed to represent Christ to them," Archbishop Hart said.

"Disappointment mixes with anger and disgust at the very thought that some who were consecrated to serve could ever molest a child."

Dressed in a black suit and wearing a clerical collar, Archbishop Hart sat with his hands together as he answered questions for more than three hours.

A church official sat beside him and several others in the front row of the public gallery.

Some of his answers were greeted with laughter and scoffs from those behind them.

Many walked out of the gallery as he began his final statement.

Archbishop Hart said the community wanted someone to take responsibility for the terrible acts that occurred.

"I take responsibility," Archbishop Hart said.

"I am appalled by the actions of these criminals against the weakest and most defenceless in our community.

"I apologise to the children who were the victims.

"We failed to recognise that the abuse was occurring, we failed to recognise that we had pedophiles in our midst, we failed to really listen to people when they came forward to complain."

Archbishop Hart outlined five recommendations the church wanted to submit to the inquiry.

These included the extension of mandatory reporting to ministers of religion and a new way of reporting offenders to police that would protect the identity of victims who wanted to remain anonymous.