News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

dark-sky-cross-abuse-main_article_image.jpg
REX/Image Broker
World News

7 per cent of Australia priests accused of sexual abuse

Children at more than 1,000 Catholic institutions across Australia have reported sexual abuse, an inquiry has heard.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual abuse began its investigation into the Catholic Church and other institutions in 2013.

Commissioners surveyed Catholic Church authorities and found that between 1980 and 2015, 4,444 people reported they had been abused at Catholic institutions according to Gail Furness, the lead lawyer assisting the commission.

The average age of the victims was 10.5 for girls and 11.5 for boys.

Francis Sullivan, chief executive of the Truth Justice and Healing Council which is co-ordinating the Catholic Church's response to the inquiry, said the data reflected "a massive failure" by the Church to protect children.

"These numbers are shocking, they are tragic and they are indefensible," he told the commission.

"As Catholics, we hang our heads in shame."

A number of senior Australian Catholics will be testifying over the next few weeks.

The commission's final report is due by the end of this year.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate