“THE Royal Commission is the opportunity for the Catholic Church in Australia to face the way it has responded to the victims of child sexual abuse,” head of the Truth Justice and Healing Council, Francis Sullivan said last week.
Mr Sullivan made the comment as public hearings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse began in Sydney on Monday, September 16.
“This is a very important and significant day for the victims of sexual abuse within Catholic Church and other institutions,” he said.
“Many have been waiting for this day for a very long time.”
Mr Sullivan said the Royal Commission presented “an opportunity for us to re-commit to the pastoral care of victims, apologise for our actions and face up to the shameful history of sexual abuse in Church institutions”.
“It is only when the full truth is revealed, justice is achieved for victims, reparation is made, sincere and appropriate apologies are offered and accepted that healing can start,” he said.
“This will be a difficult time for victims and survivors as many re-live their experiences. Many will be traumatised again by telling their stories and hearing the stories of others.
“We must all be acutely aware of these dangers.
“It will also be difficult for members of the Catholic community who will hear some stories of past abuses and the failure of some church leaders to do the right thing.
“The full story, the good and the bad, must be told.”
