SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS AT RISK
Catholic Religious Australia (CRA) unreservedly expresses our sorrow for the pain, suffering, hurt and harm that people have suffered through abuse and failure to respond appropriately to abuse. We acknowledge that abuse can irreparably damage the life of the abused, their family, carers and friends, and that the pain and suffering is on-going.
The release of the final report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse on 15 December 2017 was the culmination of almost five years of intense examination of the way in which many different institutions, including the Catholic Church, have historically failed children and vulnerable adults at risk. The Royal Commission has been an important validation of the courage of survivors of abuse in seeking truth and justice.
The extent of the abuse has affected all in our country and we acknowledge that the highest number of private hearings in the Royal Commission related to the Catholic Church. We re-visit those figures with deep regret and shame. The Royal Commission has had a significant impact on the way the Catholic Church operates in Australia and although nothing will right the wrongs that have been done, CRA recognises that now is the time for action.
President of CRA, Peter Carroll FMS, said, “We promise to support our members in their crucial work to embed prevention and safeguarding practices and governance reforms throughout their communities.”
Reflecting on the First Assembly of the Plenary Council in Pathways, CRA’s e-magazine, he noted, “Some issues emerged as critical during the Plenary Council’s First Assembly, with a common acknowledgement that they must be addressed. This includes the suffering of those wounded by the Church. In doing so, we need to consider, ‘what type of Church do we truly and deeply desire’?”
Action to address this takes the form of robust, preventative strategies in safeguarding, and the recognition that a change of culture within our Church is necessary.
CRA, in its capacity as the peak body representing Leaders of Religious Institutes and Societies of Apostolic Life in the Australian Church, continues in its resolve to support changes in our Church. These include in its governance and practices to make our communities and the nation safe for all people, but especially for the young and the vulnerable. The manner in which the Church responds to situations of risk is a vital area of focus.
“Young people and adults at risk deserve and need our care and protection. CRA believes deeply in the need to be vigilant in safeguarding all who connect with the Church and provides support to its religious institute members in creating safe environments and safe practices,” said Anne Walker, National Executive Director of CRA.
CRA’s Commitment to Safeguarding
CRA is committed to ongoing reviews of its policies and processes, in consultation with experts, to support best practice in the safeguarding of all. Additionally, CRA is working with religious institutes to understand, embed and live in ways that keep everyone safe, particularly children and adults at risk. CRA’s annual National Day of Sorrow and Promise emphasises the need to keep the abuse that occurred within and through our Church at the forefront so that such abuse never occurs again.
Read CRA’s Safeguarding Commitment Statement.
This Statement is supported by CRA’s safeguarding documents: