Trigger warning: sexual abuse, sexual assault, child abuse.
When invited to give a victim's view of the events of last week I thought yes, I can give my 'thoughts' — or I can give a view that allows for contemplation. So here we go!
I, along with others, was abused by a Jesuit. We spoke out, justice was sought, and he was convicted. He now rots and most likely will die in jail. Right up to his sentencing he maintained his innocence and made no apology. There was no media circus leading up to his conviction. Factual evidence proved his guilt.
I was uneasy with aspects of the Pell trial. The media frenzy sickened me. The court-issued gag orders to Australian media were laughable. All information was readily found on Google. Does this allow for a fair trial? I think not.
Do I have the utmost contempt and hatred for the Catholic Church? Yes. Do I have anger and hatred for the Pope and the Vatican? Yes. Do I want to see every paedophile in the Church worldwide sought out, and charged? Yes. Do I see just how hypocritical the Church is? Yes.
Are the Pope and Catholic Church taking real action to fix this evil? No. Are the Australian Church and Jesuits taking a true stand? No. Are the Australian Church and the Jesuits sincere in supporting the victims of abuse at their people's hands? No.
Should the Vatican, the Pope, the Australian Church, and the Jesuits take a sincere, united, transparent approach to together denounce these atrocities, apologise and not be afraid and ashamed to show what the church supposedly stands for? Yes.
The Church worldwide, and for me especially the Jesuits, are slow to act. They have total disregard for what the victims of these abusers have to deal with day in, day out. That in itself is criminal.
"It disgusts me that a religious organisation like the Catholic Church sits back and has a summit, a summit that is all talk and no action."
They seek to protect themselves. They don't really care about the survivors, or those who have departed this world at the hands of these 'demons'. They care only about their image and how to avoid litigation.
Apparently there are committees deep within Church institutions that secretly work on tightening up, amending and making standards for their schools and churches to follow. I can guarantee there wouldn't be one abuse survivor on any