Quilt brings hope to sexual abuse victims

By Alex Sinnott
Standard
March 2, 2015

http://www.standard.net.au/story/2915427/quilt-brings-hope-to-sexual-abuse-victims/

The Quilt of Hope, created by sexual abuse survivors, their families and supporters, was displayed in the St Joseph’s church foyer by quilt makers Carmel Moloney (left), Beryl Andersen and Lyn Snibson.

A STITCH in time saves nine, the old adage goes, but a group of creative Catholic women have a more compassionate metaphor in mind.

The Quilt of Hope — assembled by volunteers from across the Ballarat diocese — was on display at Warrnambool’s St Joseph’s Church yesterday as a way of reaching out to sexual abuse victims.

The campaign was spearheaded by parishioners who wanted to show their compassion and support for those hurt by church-related sexual abuse.

Ballarat quilt-maker Beryl Andersen kick-started work on the quilt in May 2013 and the Moving Towards Justice group completed the piece just over a year later.

Mrs Andersen was in Warrnambool yesterday as part of the showcase with many parishoners stopping to observe the artwork after morning Mass.

“I think it’s important to show we care,” she said. 

“The quilt symbolises putting together the pieces, one by one, for the survivors and their families.” 

Fellow contributors Mary Lancaster, Lyn Snibson and Carmel Moloney were also at yesterday’s travelling exhibition, with the quilt to be displayed in Mildura within weeks.

Mrs Moloney said the quilt was inspired by a similar concept created in the late 1980s. The AIDS Memorial Quilt was displayed at the United Nations headquarters in New York among other places.

“It was such a strong representation that people do care about those who were hurt and that we want to help them,” Mrs Moloney said.