Controversy over clergy abuse takes its toll

AUSTRALIA
ABC Ballarat

By Dominic Brine

The Catholic Bishop of the Ballarat diocese for the past 15 years Bishop Peter Connors has retired a year early due in part to the ongoing controversy over abuse by some members of the Catholic clergy.

“I had some health problems and I had dealt with a lot issues concerning sexual assault cases.”

Bishop Connors has met with 30 to 40 victims over the last 15 years.

“You notice what a horrible affect the abuse has had on the victim and then you come to realise that the victim has a partner who is confused or upset and also the victim’s parents who must have wondered for years what’s been happening to their son or daughter.”

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