An Open Letter to Retired Australian Bishops Geoffrey Robinson and Patrick Power

Catholic Whistleblowers
June 24, 2013

http://www.catholicwhistleblowers.org/Thoughts.htm#Butler_Victims

Dear Bishop Robinson and Bishop Power,

Catholic Whistleblowers is a newly formed network of current and former priests, women religious, brothers, deacons, and laypersons who actively support survivors of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Indeed, the Church’s tragic and scandalous sexual abuse crisis is our sole and specific focus.

From that perspective we strongly support your call for a worldwide council to take effective measures to end sexual abuse in the Church and to initiate the necessary changes in the Church to solve the ongoing sexual abuse issue.

We note with appreciation the common thought linking your call for a worldwide council that would include laity and clergy in addition to bishops and our recommendation to Pope Francis in our letter of April 29, 2013, in which we ask him to establish within the Holy See an international body composed of survivors of clergy sexual abuse, lay professionals and clergy who will be responsible for the facilitation in all dioceses of a dialogue between the Church and victims/survivors of clergy sexual abuse, so as to nurture understanding. No one understands victims/survivors better than victims/survivors.

Indeed, the sexual abuse crisis, cover-up and scandal in the Church is worldwide in scope, thus requiring a response of equal magnitude. Moreover, Pope Francis can initiate the process to bring forth justice and healing for the crimes of the past and also to change the Church so that the horrific crime of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults never surfaces again.

Thank you for your courageous leadership in the effort to safeguard all God’s children and count on our support.