In a statement from the Vatican, Cardinal George Pell has said the Church’s failure to deal with Melbourne’s paedophile priests was shameful. Cardinal Pell was responding to a television interview of abuse victim Julie Stewart, where she was critical of the cardinal’s testimony to a previous Victorian inquiry. Ms Stewart was abused in the confessional Read more
Pope Francis has asked for forgiveness for recent scandals that have taken place in Rome and in the Vatican. This statement came during his general audience in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday. The Pope said: “Before beginning the catechesis, I would like to ask forgiveness in the name of the Church for the scandals that Read more
Two men charged with burgling the quake-damaged Christ Church Cathedral last month have avoided prosecution. Philip Pavich, 55, and Gilbert Southworth, 46, apologised for their actions and gave money to the Anglican diocese. On March 21, motion-activated cameras detected their entry into the building. Police arrested the pair after they were caught leaving the cathedral Read more
Cardinal George Pell has publicly apologised in person to a victim of child sex abuse by a priest at Royal Commission hearings in Sydney. This followed an apology to John Ellis in statement by the cardinal that was previously sent to the commission. Continue reading
Exodus, an international Christian ministry dealing with faith and homosexuality, has closed down with an apology from its president for inflicting “years of undue suffering” on the gay community. Founded in 1976 by a gay man, Frank Worthen, Exodus functioned as a support group for men and women who were struggling with their sexual orientation. Read more
Israel’s deputy foreign minister has issued an apology to the Coptic Orthodox Church after a Coptic priest was beaten by police during Holy Saturday observances at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Police confronted pilgrims outside the church on May 4, as thousand of Christians arrived for Easter celebrations, according to the Orthodox Read more
The Uniting Church has asked for forgiveness for the divisions and pain it has caused Pacific communities in the past. In a submission presented to regional leaders at the Pacific Conference of Churches 10th General Assembly in Honiara, the Solomon Islands this week the Church acknowledged that it has had a part in damaging communities by Read more
Scottish Cardinal Keith O’Brien has said he will spend the rest of his life in retirement after admitting “there have been times that my sexual conduct has fallen below the standards expected of me as a priest, archbishop and cardinal”. Cardinal O’Brien had been the most senior Catholic in Britain until his resignation was accepted Read more
Two weeks after an official report revealed that the Irish government was deeply involved in the incarceration of women in the Magdalene laundries, Prime Minister Enda Kenny has made an emotional state apology. “By any standards it was a cruel, pitiless Ireland, distinctly lacking in a quality of mercy,” Kenny said, as dozens of former Read more
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Danny Philip has offered a national apology to the premier and people of Malaita province for the hurt and hate imposed against Malaitans over the years. In his keynote address during celebrations to mark the province’s 2nd Appointed Day, Philip highlighted the significant contribution of Malaitans toward nation-building since the colonial Read more