Canberra's Anglican, Catholic Leaders Share Christmas Messages

ABC News
December 23, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-24/canberra-anglican-catholic-leaders-christmas-messages/5173596?section=act

The Anglican Church in Canberra and Goulburn has used its annual Christmas message to reach out to those who have been hurt by the church.

This year the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse heard there were potentially dozens of paedophiles in the Anglican clergy across Australia who had not been formerly identified due to poor safeguards.

Bishop Stuart Robinson says faithfulness and broken promises are heavy on the hearts of leaders in the church.

"If you have been mistreated, or injured, or self-excluded for any reason, we want you to know that you are welcome in our churches," he said.

"Christmas is a time of great celebration, the churches are open, the welcome is warm and we'd love you to continue with us into 2014."

'Time of making peace': Catholic Church

Catholic Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn Christopher Prowse used his Christmas message to encourage people to use the holiday season to mend broken relationships.

"Whether we're Christians or not, Christmas is a time of gathering together of families and friends," he said.

"It's a time of making peace, it's a time of building bridges.

"I just pray God's blessings upon all of us in this wonderful time, that we might be able to thank God for the many blessings he gives us in our family life and in our community life."