Victims disappointed with pontiff’s silence on apology
Stephen Lunn; 18/7/08
Pope Benedict XVI should not be praising Kevin Rudd for his “courageous” apology to the indigenous Stolen Generations when he hasn’t been prepared to say sorry to victims of sexual abuse at the hands of Catholic priests. Victims’ support group Broken Rites yesterday expressed disappointment the Pope had so far failed to make a meaningful public apology to abuse victims during World Youth Day celebrations after earlier suggesting he would. The group’s spokeswoman, Chris MacIsaac, said the pontiff had an ideal opportunity while in Australia to say sorry to hundreds of abuse victims in a similar vein to Mr Rudd’s apology to indigenous Australians taken from their families, but even if he expressed regret, it is likely to be carefully crafted. “The victims need an apology made with emotion, one that convinces them deep down the Catholic Church hierarchy understands how sexual abuse affected their lives,” Ms MacIsaac said. “Mr Rudd did that for the Stolen Generation, there were victims present on the day, and he also made it clear it was a only a starting point to the healing, which is something the Pope could also consider saying.
See: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24037874-5013404,00.html
Tags: Aboriginal, Australia, Reconciliation, Sex Trade, WYD