The headlines in Australian newspapers this week have not been kind to the Catholic Church. Gail Furness, the lawyer for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, delivered a blistering speech outlining its findings to date about Catholic dioceses, religious orders and institutions. Afterwards, the Sydney Morning Herald editorialised: “Now we know too, that Read more
The Australian child sex abuse Royal Commission has heard seminary life and training of Catholic priests in the past was “dangerous and distorted”. It also heard the priests should have had ongoing formation and supervision. Diocese of Broken Bay vicar general Dr David Ranson also told the Royal Commission the changes in priestly formation over Read more
An outspoken politician has called for a royal commission into Islam in Australia, noting how such a body is helping uncover child abuse in the Church. Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie’s office released a graphic comparing a “big problem”’ with Islamic radicalisation to child molestation in the Australian Catholic Church. The graphic asks if a royal Read more
Cardinal George Pell has been criticised for his dietary choices in Rome after he said he was too ill to fly to Australia to testify at a royal commission. On April 18, Cardinal Pell was photographed in Rome’s Domiziano restaurant eating a meal of steak and chips, washed down with a large beer. A few Read more
Australia’s royal commission on child sexual abuse has announced it is to have a wide-ranging extra hearing focusing on the Catholic Church. The Royal Commission on Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse will hold a final hearing regarding the Catholic Church in February, 2017, the Australian Associated Press reported. The commission is seeking submissions about Read more
Former Catholic education officials in Melbourne have rejected Cardinal George Pell’s statement that he was not made fully aware of an abusive priest. Four officials testified earlier this week at Australia’s Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. When Cardinal Pell came to Melbourne as an auxiliary bishop in 1987, Fr Peter Searson Read more
Survivors and supporters of church sex abuse victims are renewing calls for a Royal Commission into sex abuse throughout New Zealand. They say Australia is facing up to its past by having an inquiry, and New Zealand should too. Bill Kilgallon, who handles the Catholic Church’s sex abuse claims, says if we do have one Read more
Cardinal George Pell said the Catholic Church “has made enormous mistakes” in dealing with allegations of sex abuse by priests. The Australian prelate made the statement when he testified via video link from a Rome hotel to the Royal Commission sitting in Sydney. “I’m not here to defend the indefensible. The church has made enormous Read more
Victorian police have referred the alleged leaks of an investigation into Cardinal George Pell to the state’s anti-corruption commission. The investigation concerned allegations of child sexual abuse made against Cardinal Pell, which the cardinal has strongly denied. Cardinal Pell called for an inquiry into the leaks and wrote to Victoria’s police minister requesting this. Victoria Read more
Recent media coverage of Cardinal George Pell’s recall to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has ignited public debate on whether churches are willing to face up to child sexual abuse. Tim Minchin’s “musical attack” on Cardinal Pell has been a lightning rod for debate on social media. Against a background Read more