Anglican Church apologises to victims of abuse across Canberra and Goulburn

By Kathleen Dyett And Jonathon Gul
7 News
August 10, 2014

https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/24675349/anglican-church-apologises-to-victims-of-abuse-across-canberra-and-goulburn/

St Saviour's Cathedral in Goulburn, NSW. It is the cathedral church of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn.

The Anglican Church has apologised to victims of abuse at special church services across Canberra and Goulburn.

Bishop Stuart Robinson publicly apologised to victims of abuse at the hands of church members, or groups connected to the church.

The apology was either read out to congregations at Lamentation Sunday services, or a video of the apology delivered by Bishop Robinson was played in church.

"From time to time I have to deliver messages which are difficult and painful, and this is one of them," he said.

"I do make this apology sincerely and genuinely, we do hope to care for people."

"I take this opportunity to apologise for any abuse or mistreatment, that those in this event, that is the service that you're attending, may have experienced by groups or individuals connected with our Anglican church," Bishop Robinson said.

In 2010 the University of Sydney's law school released a report examining 191 reported cases of abuse in the Anglican Church of Australia.

The study found three quarters of all complainants were male.

On average, it took men 25 years to bring forward a complaint, compared with 18 years for women.

"We know that hurt and sorrow can last for decades, indeed generations, so we value the opportunity to work with people towards wholeness, forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration, and trust that this service might begin to address such things."

The study also found the accused were most often clergy, other employed pastoral staff and volunteers helping in church-run programs for children and young people.

"Our aim is to work towards your wholeness, and our credible Christian witness," Bishop Robinson said.