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Wagga bishop hopes royal commission will rebuild trust

Published: December 11, 2012

The Bishop of Wagga Wagga is moving to reassure Catholics and non-Catholics the church is making a genuine response to the national inquiry into institutionalised child sexual abuse, reports the ABC.

Bishop Gerard Hanna attended the recent Australian Catholic Bishops Conference which discussed the Royal Commission. Terms of reference are yet to be released, but the Bishop says the church will co-operate fully.

Bishop Hanna says the inquiry has probably been needed for a long time. "There was this general feeling that this is good, it has to happen," he said.

"And it will be an opportunity for people who have suffered and been victimised that have never come forward, now they may feel they can come forward and get a compassionate hearing and justice and the beginning for many of them of a healing process. We have to support that."

Bishop Hanna is hoping the national inquiry will rebuild the trust of local Catholics critical of the Church's response.

The Chair and CEO of the Council to oversee the engagement of the Catholic Church with the Royal Commission will be announced at 10am this morning in Melbourne, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference said in statement yesterday.

The Australian has published an unconfirmed report by AAP that the head of the AMA will be leaving to take up one of the Council roles. Details are below.

FULL STORY Wagga bishop hopes royal commission will rebuild trust (ABC)

RELEASE Announcement of Chair and CEO of Church Council for Royal Commission

RELATED COVERAGE

AMA Chief to take Catholic Church role (Australian)

 

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Recent Comments

  1. Thank God for the Royal commission and the Church's response.
    I was under the understanding that the commission would target all institutions not just the Cathoic Church.
    That is certainly not happening in the media.
    I hope that this work finally releases all of our good and faithful priests and brothers from the stigma and ridicule of so many in public life.
    As well I have some concern that in all of this the widespread incidence of abuse in families is not lost.
    This is a painful time for us all but surely in this year of Grace much good will flow from it and perhaps we can focus on reform in the church that might help priests and brothers who struggle with celibacy.
    God bless all involved; be assured of an ongoing remembrance in prayer.

    Posted By: margaret lamb

  2. Thanks for covering this vitally important matter in such an economical way.
    The media in many countries tends to be unjust to Catholics.
    We need accurate coverage.
    Thank you, Bishop Gerard Hanna, for what you are reported here as saying and doing.

    Posted By: Dr Susan Reibel Moore

  3. I don't seem like a genuine response to me.
    It was the current Federal Government and victims' advocates who brought them, many in the hierarchy and religious orders, to this point.

    Posted By: Michael Webb

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