AUSTRALIA
Geelong Advertiser
May 19, 2016
Fr Kevin Dillon
Geelong Advertiser
THE fence surrounding St Mary’s Basilica in Yarra St will look less colourful by Monday morning.
Since January, the almost 300 metres of “Loud Fence” surrounding one of Geelong’s most iconic buildings have been bedecked with innumerable multicoloured ribbons. They have all been tied by individuals wishing to recognise the suffering of the far-too-many victims/survivors of church-related sexual abuse.
During a public ceremony at 3pm this Sunday, the ribbons will be removed then taken into the Basilica where they are to be placed near the altar as a sign of “repentance, reparation and respect” for those who have suffered so much and for so long.
Just this week, I received an email from Brian, whose son Adam was abused at just seven years of age by a notorious priest offender who was eventually imprisoned for multiple assaults on many children.
Adam was irrevocably damaged by the assaults, which occurred 30 years ago. He has never had regular employment. He has had girlfriends but the relationships never last long. He still relies on his parents as his chief means of personal support.
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