AUSTRALIA
Northern Star
Leah White | 23rd Jun 2014
THE Lismore Catholic Diocese has publicly apologised to the victims of child sexual abuse for the “heinous” crimes of the past, saying history would never repeat itself thanks to a range of new policies and procedures.
Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett, on behalf of the Catholic Schools Office of Lismore, wrote to the parents of St Carthage’s and Trinity school children in light of the recent revelations of past child sexual abuse by two Marist Brother predators employed at the schools.
“While the events that occurred are historic, they are nonetheless disturbing and unacceptable,” Bishop Jarrett wrote.
Through the mishandling and, in some cases, concealment of child sexual abuse, Church leaders have betrayed the trust of all people of faith and amplified the pain for victims
– Lismore Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett
“The emotional and psychological pain by the victims of the clerical child abuse and their families is real and acknowledged.
“Through the mishandling and, in some cases, concealment of child sexual abuse, Church leaders have betrayed the trust of all people of faith and amplified the pain for victims.”
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