Church struggles to straddle fence
RIBBONS tied to the fence of St Mary’s Basilica in support of sexual abuse survivors were cut down this week, in a move described as a “kick in the guts” for survivors.
The removal of the Geelong church’s ribbons is the latest action in a bitter battle between supporters and those opposed to the “loud fence”, which has seen the memorial removed and replaced repeatedly in recent years. Ribbons were retied on Wednesday.
The church will now work with the loud fence’s supporters to “appease both sides”,
Father James Clarke said.
“The ribbons were removed by a person or persons unknown. It was not done under my direction, or with my knowledge or with my permission,” Fr Clarke said when asked about the latest removal of ribbons.
“This has been a long-running episode since I arrived at St Mary’s three years ago. There are people who want the ribbons there, and people who don’t want the ribbons there. I’m between the proverbial rock and a hard place … It is a complex issue.”
Abuse survivor Merrin Wake, who works with redress support service provider Drummond St, said she had an “amiable” meeting with Fr Clarke about the future of the loud fence.
“We’re just looking for a way to get the ribbons back up there and have a loud fence which is significant, but with the churches response as well, with their support,” Ms Wake said. “It’s important that it’s there.”
“I think our most important role is to make sure of the acknowledgment of what’s occurred, and that there’s visibility around that — and these loud fences are what we know creates that visibility and acknowledgment for people.”
Ms Wake said the removal of ribbons came as a “bit of a kick in the guts” to local survivors.
Louis Hehir, who has signalled his candidacy for the upcoming City of Greater Geelong election, said a discussion around the loud fence should also include education for the city’s Catholic community.
“This is a unique opportunity for the community to rally around survivors of childhood abuse and to join hand-in-hand in the healing process,” Mr Hehir said.
“I believe what is needed from here is a service that all the catholic schools in the region attend so that the loud fence becomes the community’s loud fence.”