Doug PollardTackling Holy Rapists
Michael Ramirez - Los Angeles Times
FOUR CORNERS - ABC TV
The recent ep of Four Corners "Unholy Silence" brought it into stark focus: no-one can see this report without tears of sadness and tears of rage at what has happened.
And this is only the most recent of many reports that have appeared in the press and on television. Yet the only response to date is a very limited, under-resourced totally inadequate enquiry by the Victorian Parliament that has yet to begin work.
Four Corners reporter Geoff Thompson investigates a shocking case of abuse involving many children, committed over several years. The abuse in itself is horrifying, the impact on the victims devastating, but perhaps the most alarming revelation is the fact that the Church turned a blind eye to the priest's crimes.
Four Corners asks why, despite clear evidence of abuse, the Church allowed him to move from parish to parish, apparently without alerting the police. The program reveals that even now the Church will not admit the full extent of what it knew about the priest's activities.
The program also tells the story of the young men and their families, whose lives were devastated by the abuse. And details how the crimes committed led to the early death of several victims.
ABCFour Corners asks why, despite clear evidence of abuse, the Church allowed him to move from parish to parish, apparently without alerting the police. The program reveals that even now the Church will not admit the full extent of what it knew about the priest's activities.
The program also tells the story of the young men and their families, whose lives were devastated by the abuse. And details how the crimes committed led to the early death of several victims.
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
There's a good summary of the Four Corners report in the Sydney Morning Herald.
7.30 REPORT
The 7.30 Report has updated the Four Corners report, speaking to residents in Armadale and trying to track down the priests who failed to report the abuse
THE CONVERSATION
Judy Courtin is fighting practically a lone battle to bring these people to justice. I don't want to rehash her work but please read this article on the need for mandatory reporting of sex predator priests.
Did you know that in most of Australia it is not mandatory for the church to report a priest it knows is molesting kids?
THE AGE
There's more on the impenetrable obstacles the church and the state put in the way of victims in the transcript of her interview with Michael Short at The Age.
Did you know, for example, that it's practically impossible to sue the church? Because legally speaking it scarcely exists? That you can't sue a bishop of the actions of one of his priests, because the priest is not, at law, an employee?
Victorian Police have identified at least FORTY suicides linked to abuse by Catholic clergy, yet the church still stonewalls. The true figure is probably much higher.
BROKEN RITES
For a list of clerical abuse cases known to date, Black Collar Crimes, click here. Broken Rites is an organisation for and about victims of clergy sex abuse.
PETITION FOR A ROYAL COMMISSION
Outspoken comedian Catherine Deveny has started a petition for a full royal commission: please sign and let's get this cleaned up once and for all.
Current Affairs
Rainbow Reporter