CHURCH leaders generally don’t handle media interviews on the subject of sexual abuse very well.
So it came as a breath of fresh air to hear the Jesuits’ Australian provincial Fr Mark Raper addressing the subject forthrightly and with open compassion on ABC TV’s 7.30 Report earlier this month.
The story related to a former abused student of St Aloysius College in Sydney and his attempts to be heard.
Fr Raper ignored legal advice and sought a reconciliation with the former student by apologising to him.
The Jesuit provincial went on to appear on The 7.30 Report and admitted that the Jesuits had got it wrong by focusing on trying to defend and fight allegations of abuse instead of responding with compassion and pastorally to the victim concerned.
Fr Raper has demonstrated courage and tenacity, in particular by his statement that people are more important than assets when it comes to sexual abuse.
This is the sort of understanding that many victims are seeking and demonstrates one of the best examples of a Catholic leader who is prepared to address the issue of sexual abuse head on.
May many other Church leaders emulate him.
