BISHOP of Bathurst Michael McKenna plans to study the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse before having his say on them.
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There were 409 recommendations aimed at keeping children safe in a 17-volume final report handed down on December 15.
One key recommendation was religious ministers should be forced to report information confided in them during a confession.
The report states 30 case studies were conducted and revealed that “many religious leaders knew about allegations of child sexual abuse yet failed to take effective action”.
Another key recommendation was the Australian Catholic Church should request permission from the Vatican to introduce voluntary celibacy for diocesan clergy. Mandatory celibacy was considered “not a direct cause but a contributing factor” of child sexual abuse.
“While not a direct cause of child sexual abuse, we are satisfied that compulsory celibacy (for clergy) and vowed chastity (for members of religious institutes) have contributed to the occurrence of child sexual abuse, especially when combined with other risk factors,” the report states.
“We acknowledge that only a minority of Catholic clergy and religious have sexually abused children. However, based on research we conclude that there is an elevated risk of child sexual abuse where compulsorily celibate male clergy or religious have privileged access to children in certain types of Catholic institutions, including schools, residential institutions and parishes.”
Bishop McKenna, asked about these specific recommendations, said it was not the right time to respond.
“The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has now concluded its work and delivered its report to the Australian Government,” he said. “Very soon, we must begin to study the multi-volume report and consider the recommendations that the commissioners have made. Then will be the time for a full response. For now, we should acknowledge gratefully the work of everyone who has participated in the Royal Commission, especially those who have told their stories and those who have listened to them.”
