The Australian Catholic Bishop Bill Morris is doing what the Pope and the Vatican seems unable to do. He is taking responsibility for the injustices which occurred under his watch and has agreed to compensate all the victims of child molestation and rape which fell under his jurisdiction.
In 2007 and 2008, Catholic teacher and child protections officer Gerard Vincent Byrnes raped and molested thirteen 9 and 10 year old girls multiple times. Byrnes has pleaded guilty to 46 counts of sexual assault and 10 counts of rape.
Bishop Morris has accepted responsibility and liability under the Australian Personal Injuries Proceedings Act 2002. He made a personal statement to the families of those molested that the Church will pay compensation not only to the 5 girls who have launched legal proceedings but to all the girls assaulted. Apparently, the school principle and Catholic Education failed to report Byrnes crimes to authorities when complaints were made.
Morris has issued the following stated:
For too long we have played protection in these cases and feared damaging the good name of the church. But the good name ultimately is hurt by that sort of protection and cover-up. I hope that my action will prevent others from trying to run away and to face up, so victims have all the opportunity to heal."
One can only hope that the Pope and the Vatican are hearing Bishop Morris’s statement. If you or someone you know has been sexually molested, please get help. Check out SNAP – Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests.
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Comments
Don't suppose we could get them to admit they've molested and raped the human mind and accept responsibility for that?...nah, just a thought.
Don't atheists ever write about being an atheist? Or do they just bash other religions?
Hey Sharon, perhaps you missed the entire Atheism 101 series at the end on each article.
Some people do the right thing and take responsibility for the actions of those that work for them. I think it's very commendable.
It is good that he will do this but as to protecting the good name of the Catholic church it never has had a good name. It has gone against every thing that Jesus has taught us to live by. John 13.34-35. Love identifies the true followers of christ Jesus which the catholic church has failed in Murder,rape,False worship of idols,bribes and involment in politics etc,etc.