Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable People
Bishop's Statement of Commitment to Child Protection
Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, 15 September 2020
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