22 October is the fourth anniversary of the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Abuse. This is an important day of reflection for many organisations and for all Catholic entities.
The Diocese of Broken Bay acknowledges the lifelong trauma of abused victims, survivors and their families, the failure of the Catholic Church to protect, believe and respond justly to children and vulnerable adults, and the consequent breach of community trust. During this year’s liturgy of lament we publicly acknowledged the suffering to those who had been victims of abuse, those left by the side and those who have felt not welcomed.
Four years on from the National Apology, the Diocese’s work remains focused on strengthening our Commitment to Safeguarding, implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and expanding those recommendations to prevent any form of abuse or risk within our organisation through the implementation of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards and NSW Child Safe Standards. It is our aim that safeguarding becomes entrenched in all aspects of our lived experiences and that we continue to improve our awareness and practices to achieve this aim.