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A feeding frenzy is afoot over the review of Safe Schools program. At the same time poor old George Pell is under attack for failing to observe that his Ballarat colleagues were prolifically enabling Ridsdale and other pedophiles to sexually abuse little boys. The prurient desire to control the sexual interests of others on the one hand, and on the other the gross failures by institutions to protect vulnerable children in their care, are sadly linked to an unwillingness to face the truth about human sexuality.
Reviewing Cardinal Pell's evidence to the Royal Commission in August, I have concluded that Catholics need to accept moral responsibility and legal liability for all child sexual abuse committed by clergy prior to 1996, regardless of what might be the moral or legal position after 1996 when improved measures for supervision and dismissal of errant clergy were put in place.
A few weeks ago Tim Winton's Breath was awarded this year's Miles Franklin Literary Award. This video trailer is a poetic combination of strong images, haunting music, quotes, and eloquent interview with the author.
The internet raised Susan Boyle to superstardom, while traditional media heaped her with disparagement and conjecture. Might the more democratic realm of new media might provide a more saintly balance to the traditional tabloid monster?