The Toward Healing protocol to deal with sexual abuse allegations

In order to deal fairly with cases of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy, the Catholic Church in Australia established in 1996 a protocol to be followed. It was revised in December 2000 after a review undertaken by Professor Patrick Parkinson, pro-Dean of the Faculty of Law at Sydney University and author of the book, Child Sexual Abuse and the Churches.

This is a comprehensive document with strict checks and balances and independent reviews all along the line. I have never before seen a document outlining such strict procedures, loaded in favour of a complainant, to deal with behaviour that is not only to be found in the Catholic Church.

Sexual impropriety and sexual abuse are rife in Western Society. It is a direct result of the rampant liberalism developed, encouraged and promoted by that society's dominant class. Research has found time and again that the incidence of sexual abuse is no greater in the Catholic Church than in comparable organisations, and that between one and four percent of Catholic clergy have been accused of sexual abuse. Once again, we see the double standards with regard to the Catholic Church. Since the introduction of the protocol we are witness to the cynicism and lack of conscience of those who exploit the procedures for their political ends.

There was no way the allegations and complaint of Cardinal Pell's accuser, Anthony Jones, would be lost or covered up in such stringent procedures, whatever the content of the letters Jones received directly from the Cardinal. In the event, the procedures were followed, the case went to court, a judgment was given, and Jones reached a settlement. Jones's case demonstrated that the Toward Healing protocol works. Read the full document on the link below.

Toward Healing - December 2000
Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference and the Australian Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes
Towards Healing - Amendments May/June 2003

comments: gerardwilson01@optusnet.com.au