Media Statement: Anglican Church welcomes National Apology to victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse

Monday October 22, 2018

“The Anglican Church in Tasmania is thankful that today the Prime Minister, The Hon. Scott Morrison MP, has delivered a National Apology to victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse,” said The Right Revd Dr Richard Condie, Anglican Bishop of Tasmania.

“Taking collective responsibility is a powerful way for the country to move towards healing and restoration for survivors of child sexual abuse,” said Bishop Condie.

“We hope that the National Apology will go some way to alleviating the pain and distress of survivors of child sexual abuse in our nation, in both church and secular institutions.

“With deep sadness the Anglican Church in Tasmania has acknowledged the sins of the past. We continue to apologise for the hurts inflicted on innocent young children by our leaders. And, I again reaffirm our apology that was made on 26 July 2000.

“…I am deeply sorry for what took place. I make an unreserved apology to those who were abused by clergy or other officers of the Anglican Church in Tasmania. My heart goes out to those of you who were abused. Those abuses should never have happened, and I pledge myself, as Bishop, to do all I can to ensure that such abuses do not happen again.”

“We encourage those people who suffered abuse in the Anglican Church in the past to come forward to us or the National Redress Scheme,” said Bishop Condie.

The church has instituted many changes over the last eighteen years in order to protect children and prevent abuse. The safety of children and vulnerable people in our church communities is paramount. We have been working hard to screen, educate and develop church leaders and volunteers who are working with vulnerable people. We have improved our response to and support for survivors of sexual abuse. We have no tolerance for abuse of any kind.

Monday 22 October 2018