A National Survivors’ Day morning tea held in Canberra under the theme Honouring Every Survivor brought together Catholic organisations to recognise survivors, hear personal testimony, and reflect on the Church’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding and rebuilding trust. Source: Catholic Voice.
For 40 years, one survivor kept her experience of clerical sexual abuse to herself, fearful she would not be believed. Now, she has shared how her Catholic faith and support from the Church have helped her move forward.
Her testimony was at the centre of the National Survivors’ Day morning tea held at the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference on November 10.
“I was so convinced that if I said anything, that I wouldn’t be believed, and that it would ruin my life forever,” the survivor said.
When she eventually disclosed her experience, she received support through Towards Healing and from priests at her parish.
Her seven-year journey was rooted in her Catholic faith as she worked through feelings of betrayal and shame, eventually coming to forgive the priest who abused her, the Church and herself.
“I understand that a lot of survivors are unable to forgive. I forgave through the grace of God, but it’s not always possible. We’re all on a different journey.”
An important moment came when she received an apology from the bishop of the diocese where the abuse occurred.
“He apologised personally for what had happened, but then he apologised as the bishop of the diocese in which the abuse happened, and that was extremely powerful to receive that apology.”
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference General Secretary Fr Chris de Souza said survivors have much to teach the Church about responding to those who have experienced abuse.
“They are custodians of great knowledge and insight that can help us respond more appropriately to those people.”
Catholic Social Services Australia Executive Director Jerry Nockles said survivors’ experiences must inform the Church’s response.
“We need to listen, we need to say ‘I hear you’ and then we need to take those learnings that we take from them and provide concrete actions,” Dr Nockles said.
Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Safeguarding Manager Maria Hicks said the Church’s commitment extends beyond supporting survivors to preventing future abuse.
“Whilst we recognise and continue to support our survivors, we’re putting a lot of effort into making sure this does not happen again.
“Our commitment and the effort all our parishes, our priests, our schools, and our social welfare agencies are putting into safeguarding is an example of that commitment.”
Ms Hicks said survivors have helped shape safeguarding practices through an advisory panel.
For the survivor, safeguarding reforms are welcome, but acknowledging the past remains essential.
“We have safeguarding strategies in place. This is all very good, but I think it’s really important that the Church doesn’t forget.
“We don’t pretend that it didn’t happen, but the Church moves forward from that place of humility.”
FULL STORY
National Survivors’ Day: A commitment to listen, support and rebuild trust (By Jeanine Doyle, Catholic Voice)
