Eternity News | December 15th, 2017 12:50 PM
Those involved with the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse would probably not refer to themselves as heroes.
Whether they be a survivor of child sexual abuse or someone who campaigned for action, change or justice, the label of “hero” probably sits uncomfortably with them.
But with the royal commission handing down its final report yesterday, Eternity highlights two people who had a significant impact on the commission’s formation and work.
Bishop Geoffrey Robinson devoted ten years of his life to fighting for fair compensation and support for adults who had been abused as children by Catholic priests. He met many of them and was touched by all their stories – especially as he had been abused too. Read Eternity‘s interview with him here.
Joanne McCarthy is the brave journalist who spearheaded the Newcastle Herald’s “Shine the light” campaign which helped to bring about the Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Abuse (and an earlier NSW special inquiry).
Eternity spoke with Joanne about her interviews with victims of sexual abuse, many of them scarred by alcohol, drugs and depression. She interviewed 200 victims and uncovered no fewer than 12 suicides or drug overdoses among former students of a priest called John Denham. Read Eternity‘s interview with Joanne here.
Pray
Some prayer points to help
Please pray for just redress for victims of child sexual abuse.
Read Next
Pilot program aims to prevent child sex abuse with helpline for potential perpetrators
From devastation and tragedy – hope and joy
Catholics embark on 'largest attempt at human consultation in the history of the world'
In Full: Attorney-General Michaelia Cash speaks up on the Religious Discrimination Bills
Domestic violence in the church – guiding survivors to healing and hope
The man who brought the gospel and social justice together
The Final Stone – a response in defence of Bishop Rod Chiswell
'Our Saviour, born as a human' – Christian leaders reflect
We are all about loving the lost but we’re not taking care of the found
One in (almost) a hundred years meeting of Aussie Catholics to discuss, faith, evangelisation – and a humble church following the Royal Commission
Brian Houston charged with concealing sex offences
Making sure it is a "yes", new sexual consent laws for NSW
What’s at stake in the religious freedom debate
Archbishop Justin Welby apologises for "building hell, putting children into it and staffing it"
The complicated layers of being an abused Christian wife
Latest
Farewell from the Eternity team
As Eternity News draws to a close, our team offers you, dear reader, our personal,…
What to watch this Easter (plus Eternity's highest rated movies)
Looking for some entertainment for the Easter weekend? Here’s a collection of three Easter-related movies…