TJHC CEO Addresses Catechist Directors on the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Assault

Truth Justice and Healing Council (TJHC) CEO Francis Sullivan has told Catechists from across the ACT and NSW that the Royal Commission into child sexual assault would pose a challenge to the way they talk to children in State schools.

Speaking at the annual Catholic Conference of Religious Educators in State Schools in Canberra this week, Mr Sullivan said the history of sexual abuse in the Church was shameful and confronting.

“Catechists and others are now struggling with this painful legacy,” Mr Sullivan said.

“Finding appropriate ways to discuss the past will help formative minds come to terms with this history.

“Admitting the failures will help reclaim credibility. Making decisive change and reaching out to those who have been damaged will rekindle trust.

“At its best the Catholic Church promotes the dignity of individuals and the common good of society with the pursuit of truth and goodness as its touchstones. There is no better witness to this than the teaching profession and its ministry in schools.

“In addressing the tragedy of child sexual abuse we must be humble in our public responses and act justly with victims.

“It is also important to explain our history and to outline the professional changes that have come about over the past 20 years.”

More than 20 Catechist Directors, who oversee some 5,000 volunteer scripture teachers in Public schools across NSW and the ACT attended the annual conference in Canberra.

The TJHC has been established by the Catholic Church to help the Church response to the Royal Commission into the Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Its role is to oversee the Church’s engagement with the Commission, to develop new policies to protect young people and to ensure the Church responds to any future complaints appropriately with justice, putting the needs of victims first.

To contact the Royal Commission:

Call 1800 099 340 between the hours of 8am and 8pm

Write to GPO Box 5283, Sydney NSW, 2001

E: registerinterest@childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au

W: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/