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Tuesday May 21, 2013

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The apology a father of two Church abuse victims would have liked to hear from Cardinal Pell

Posted by: Ellen Feely | 24 December, 2012 - 5:45 PM
Cardinal George Pell.

The father of two girls who were raped by a Catholic priest says Sydney Archbishop George Pell’s apology message to victims of Church sexual abuse was ‘just more spin’.

Speaking with Nick McCallum, Anthony Foster whose two daughters who were raped by notorious paedophile, Father Kevin O'Donnell, instead said Pell should have made a pledge to change the culture of the Church and the structure which has enabled secrecy to manifest.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you think Cardinal George Pell's apology was sincere? Comment below

”I would have liked to have heard George Pell (say) he will set in motion changes and requests to government, changes within the church that will give victims true justice, true access to the wealth of the Church,”he said.

”(I would have liked to have heard) they would be contrite and accept whatever recommendations that come from government and that they would not hide behind legal barriers anymore, and that they would become true equal corporate citizens in this country.”

Pell, in his video Christmas message which contained the apology, instead said: “I'm deeply sorry this has happened. It's completely contrary to Christ's teachings and I feel too the shock and shame across the community of these revelations of wrongdoing and crimes.”

Nick McCallum said Pell’s words fell a long way short of an apology, and were more likely to cause infuriation among victims.

Anthony Foster’s two daughters fell victims to Fr O’Donnell when they were in primary school. His daughter, Emma, passed away following a medication overdose. Katie, who became a binge drinker, was hit by a drunk driver in 1999 and was left physically and mentally disabled.

Mr Foster said until he sees real action from the Catholic Church, Pell’s comments will be regarded as nothing has changed.

”My gut reaction was that it was just more spin, more robotic words from George Pell,” he said.

”These words make no difference because, as I say, they're just the same old words that we've heard time and time again.”

LISTEN: Anthony Foster speaks with Nick McCallum:

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Blog comments Your Say

  • No, @Vice Pope Eric etc, Mr Abbott has already put his stamp of approval on the enquiry, he too wants all the perpetrators brought to true justice. Although with the name 'Vice Pope Eric, the #2 Man at The Vatican' I think you are probalby having a lend of us.

    Gloria Thursday 27 December, 2012 - 7:31 PM

  • Thanks jgl, yes all the brain washed catholic followers should wake up to the reality that paedophilia and child molestation practiced by catholic clergy is 70% more than in other institutions and is not such a rare occurrance. Paid out millions in compensation? To the filthy rich catholic church money is nothing, there is nothing that can compensate for the damage they have done to those children and their families. Some of the victims have taken their lives because the families could not believe that their priest could do such evil things and blamed the kids. Evil is too kind a word for these filthy predators.

    Willow Thursday 27 December, 2012 - 7:12 PM

  • Half harted Too little/Too late Who Cares ?
    The Royal Commision must continue & the guilty punished.

    Dominic Lombardo Wednesday 26 December, 2012 - 4:20 PM

  • @Patrick Boyle; To paraphrase.There are none so gullible as those who are easily led.I refer of course,in this case,to the tone deaf catholic cheer leaders out there.Some of which you would include in your immediate circle of friends...No doubt.

    jgl Melb Wednesday 26 December, 2012 - 3:58 PM

  • Let's hope when Tony Abbott becomes Prime Ministers he'll end this witch hunt before it goes any further.

    Vice Pope Erik, the #2 Man at The Vatican Wednesday 26 December, 2012 - 3:43 PM

  • If, and when, Pell gives a sincere apology for the way the heirarchy of the Catholic church have ignored their "Duty of Care" towards the children their priests have violated; also apologising for their lack of action towards the violators; I will then believe they are no longer the hypocrites that they currently are. In the meantime, Pell should sack his "spin merchants". His speech was an insult to those who have suffered.

    David T. Wednesday 26 December, 2012 - 1:10 PM

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