Bishop’s open letter tells of pain, distress

DAYS after Pope Francis wrote an open letter to all Catholics, condemning child abuse and its concealment within the Church, the Bishop of Dunedin has followed in his footsteps.

Dunedin Bishop the Most Rev Michael Dooley yesterday made public a letter he has penned to his diocese, which is to be included in parish newsletters across the lower South Island.

In that letter, Bishop Michael said revelations published by ODT Insight about the extent of sexual abuse carried out by Fr Magnus Murray and Br Desmond Fay were ‘‘shocking and painful’’ to learn.

But, his letter continued, the harm to victims was ‘‘particularly distressing’’.

He reiterated his earlier apol ogy ‘‘for the suffering endured by victims and their families’’, and acknowledged the church’s handling of such offenders ‘‘has come under scrutiny’’.

The church was ‘‘open to any investigation to uncover the truth’’, and Bishop Michael said he was ‘‘committed’’ to working to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults.

He encouraged any victim of abuse within the church to con tact his office, the National Office for Professional Standards or the police.

‘‘I thank you for your prayers and support at this difficult time and ask you first of all to remember the victims of abuse and their families as we pray for them and for their healing,’’ Bishop Michael said.

Clare Curran, the Dunedin South Labour MP, yesterday told ODT Insight that as someone raised a Catholic, she had ‘‘strong personal views’’ about abuse within the church.

‘‘It’s brave and right that the Bishop of Dunedin has apologised to the city and asked for forgiveness.’’

She would not say whether she felt churches should be included in the upcoming Royal Commission into historic abuse.