MEDIA RELEASE

Case Study 44
The Catholic Church in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

CASE STUDY 44

 

06 July 2016

The Diocese of Parramatta welcomes the announcement of Case Study 44 by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse which will review the response of Catholic Church authorities to allegations of child sexual abuse by John Joseph Farrell.

The Diocese has always and will continue to cooperate with the instructions of the Commissioners and worked closely with the Commission.

Bishop of Parramatta, Vincent Long OFM Conv welcomed the case study saying, “This case study is important as it will allow the survivors and their families a chance to have their voices heard. We must listen compassionately and with great care in order to ensure the hurt and failures of the past are never repeated.”

“As Bishop of Parramatta, I apologise for our past failures that led to the harm of the very people we were meant to care for. I am truly sorry for the hurt that we have caused.

“The coming weeks will also be a difficult time for the many Catholics in the Diocese as the past failings of church personnel is again examined. I encourage anyone who needs help during this time to contact the Royal Commission, the police, a professional counsellor or myself.

“The Diocese will continue its open and transparent dealings with the Royal Commission looking at past historical abuse committed by former Diocese of Parramatta personnel,” Bishop Vincent said.

The Diocese of Parramatta is committed to continuously reviewing and improving its child protection policies and procedures and encourages anyone who was abused in any way to contact our Office of Safeguarding & Professional Standards on (02) 8838 3419 or safeguarding@parra.catholic.org.au.

Media inquiries – Joseph Younes, Director of Communications, (02) 8838 3435, 0416 619 500, JYounes@parra.catholic.org.au

 

About the Diocese of Parramatta

The Diocese of Parramatta is the Catholic Church in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

It spans one of the fastest-growing areas of Australia, incorporating the greater Western Sydney area from Parramatta to Blackheath and from Richmond to Warragamba. It is home to 330,000 Catholics in an area of 1,050,000 people.

The Diocese hosts 47 parishes and churches, educates more than 45,000 students across its 83 schools, employs more than 5,000 staff and cares for thousands of people in need through its social services arm, CatholicCare Social Services.

The Diocese of Parramatta is the fifth-largest Catholic Diocese in Australia.

 

To download a copy of the media release click here: MEDIA RELEASE 06072016 – CASE STUDY 44

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