Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable People

The abuse of any vulnerable person, especially child sexual abuse, is evil, disgraceful, unacceptable and a crime. Its harmful effects, especially on primary victims, can be traumatic and lasting and are often deeply debilitating. These scars can prevent those who have been hurt from growing to be the people God dreamed they could be. Whole communities are also damaged for people, loved and valued, are not able to return love or function as freely as they would otherwise have. 

Abuse of children and of other vulnerable people has been committed by some members of the Catholic Church. Further, some other members of the Catholic community have not reported these serious offences. These people have betrayed those in their care, God and the Church by perpetrating abuse and by protecting and enabling such perpetrators. 

The abuse was wrong and should not have happened. 

On my own account and on behalf of the diocese, I apologise for these failures and assaults to those who have been abused, to all those who love and support them and to all the good, faithful members of the Church. 

I commit the diocese of Wagga Wagga to being a safe place for vulnerable people and children by continuing to improve our processes, training and expectations in accordance with State and National safeguarding standards and legislation. 

Bishop Mark Edwards OMI 

Bishop of the Diocese of Wagga Wagga 

Date: 11 September 2020