Bishop Anthony Randazzo has reiterated Broken Bay’s commitment to keeping everyone within the Diocese safe, on the sixth anniversary of the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse.
On 22 October 2018, the then Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, delivered the National Apology in the Parliament of Australia.
In the apology, the Prime Minister said: “Today, we say we are sorry. Sorry that you were not protected, sorry that you were not listened to. We are sorry for refusing to trust the words of children, for not believing you. As we say sorry, we also say we believe you. We say what happened was not your fault.”
Bishop Anthony said these words remain just as pertinent today.
“As an institution which has experienced the darkness of abuse present in our communities, we can never sufficiently apologise,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
“We acknowledge the enduring hurt felt by victim-survivors. As Bishop of Broken Bay, I once again acknowledge the harm caused to those entrusted to our care and say sorry.”
In the coming days, the outcomes of the first external audit of the Diocese of Broken Bay’s application of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards will be published.
“It will demonstrate how we have implemented and embedded actions in the Diocese of Broken Bay to ensure our communities are places of safety and care,” said Bishop Anthony.
“For today, we pray for forgiveness and healing when they have not been.”
Members of Parliament also acknowledged the anniversary of the National Apology and reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensuring safer communities too.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth highlighted the courage of survivors and advocates who spoke out to expose the abuse in institutions.
“Six years ago, the Government apologised for the inexcusable actions of perpetrators of institutional child sexual abuse,” Minister Rishworth said.
“I recognise on this anniversary that no apology could ever change the immense trauma and pain caused by the abuse faced by many Australians.
“Today is an opportunity to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse through the National Redress Scheme and its continuous improvement to make it more trauma-informed, efficient, and survivor-focussed.”