Church culture exposed
I'm sure I'm just one of hundreds, maybe thousands, who viewed with intense interest the recent Royal Commission activity in Rome. As questioning of George Pell rolled on we yet again witnessed the demonstration of an organisational culture of secrecy, denial, perpetrator protection, victim dismissal or manipulation and lack of interest in the story. An institutional culture where the 'priests tended to be believed over the claims of the child', where if a priest denied allegations the church authority was 'very strongly inclined to accept the denial'. Unbelievably, Pell said in reference to Gerald Ridsdale, the perpetrator of horrendous paedophilic crimes against children that 'the only thing I would say is that as a priest he had done other good things ie funeral services". I ask the reader if they would choose such a priest to officiate at their funeral service or any other religious service? How can it be acceptable that such evil actions can ethically sit side by side with goodness? Then he turns on ex Bishop Ronald Mulkearns, and as victim lawyer Jim Shaw put it, 'hung him out to dry'. Pell says 'Mulkearns always knew of the offending and was deceitful by not passing it on’ . . . he goes on to say 'Mulkearn's failure to act was extraordinary and I can't nominate any other bishop whose actions were so despicable'. He knew making those statements that Mulkearns followed Canon Law to the letter in his response to allegations ie pastoral care to the priest until he is ready to be placed in another parish. No mention of the victims' plight. If George Pell was a genuinely sincere and empathetic priest and leader, he would have acknowledged the travellers from Australia when first he entered Hotel Quirinale but he did not.
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Ann Ryan, Warrnambool
Ease victims’ suffering
I don’t get it, I just don’t. To me Cardinal Pell has procrastinated long enough. Humility and compassion, what a crock. This person chose then to deny the child abuse and is choosing to deny it now. Why should victims be grateful for this person’s deigning to them now? Like Tim Mitchim said, he should get down on his knees and wash their feet, he should also beg their forgiveness for abandoning them in their hour of need. Priests are not above reproach, I do not understand the fawning behaviour some adopt in their presence. At the end of the day they are the same as every other mere mortal. The Catholic church has a great deal to answer for but if it cannot be honest, show integrity, come clean and ease suffering for the victims then its fate is sealed. There is nothing Christian about this. It's sordid, disgraceful, abuse perpetrated by sordid, disgraceful scum who have no place in this world. Hell would be too good for you all.
Vicki Walter, Warrnambool
Free car parking doubts
I want to thank Cr Peter Sycopoulis and Heidi Wisniewski (The Standard, March 5) for their responses and for the history lesson. I was unaware of the levy paid by some commercial entities operating in the CBD some years ago. It was not made clear just how long it was since this levy existed but one might make a guess given that this ‘new shopping complex on the eastern outskirts of our city’ just celebrated its 30th birthday. Nor did these correspondents indicate the value of the levy. So, what we have is an argument that some traders, and there has been a lot of turnover during the past 20 to 30 years, paid an undefined number of dollars a considerable number of years ago. Therefore all traders, whether they paid the levy or not, should continue to benefit from fully subsidised free parking in the CBD in perpetuity. All the while the council should continue to maintain and police these carparks in the face of constantly rising costs as well as financing the cost of new car parks. I am not against the council underwriting the cost of car parking in the CBD, or anywhere else, if there is a valid basis. In fact council already does this in part at least. All we are talking about here is the extent of that subsidy and who bears the cost. Cr Sycopoulis and Ms Wisniewski failed to provide any evidence that free parking would actually benefit businesses operating in the CBD, that the benefit would outweigh the cost of providing it and that this in turn would benefit all of the ratepayers commensurately. I am not against free parking, I just need to be convinced. Evidence please, patronising and emotive letters just don’t cut it.
Jim Burke, Warrnambool
Make seats marginal
I am a newcomer but I am amazed the way the south-west is treated by its political representatives and gobsmacked at residents’ political apathy. This area has by far the worst roads and most inefficient railway and timetables possible. We get second-hand rolling stock and are expected to be pleased. I recently drove to Bendigo and Ballarat, both areas are politically neutral, so all parties need to show they care. Have a look at their roads and trains. Here if a road needs work councils or VicRoads put a sign up to reduce speed and do nothing else. Drive at 100km/h at your own peril. It’s too dangerous.
Despite a Prime Minister and Premier both representing the area, and with current members pontificating loudly, it’s all rubbish and has been for at least 25 years. Nothing is done for locals. What influence have they made to the locals? Liberals don’t need to have local policies, they are voted in regardless. Nationals get tickled by the Libs and do nothing, they might stamp their foot occasionally, then do nothing anyway. Labor has no policy here because the Liberals get voted in always, so for them what’s the point of worrying. Get real people, vote in an Independent and make Spring Street and Canberra take notice.
Wake up, do something, before it’s too damn late.
Robert Leared, Tower Hill
Save Glenormiston history
As a former principal at Glenormiston College, I have previously made contact with The Standard to express my concern over the neglect of the former College. I am aware of the expression of interest process that closes on March 16 and hope this will lead to a successful outcome. However, in the event that the process fails or is only partially successful, we need to have in place a process to safeguard the homestead, its historic gardens and main driveway, and its collection of Prenzel carvings. The Black family acknowledge my enthusiasm for preserving the cultural heritage embedded in Glenormiston was a major ingredient in their decision to return the carvings from the UK to Glenormiston. I am aware there are suggestions the Prenzel-carved stairway panels should be dismantled and transferred to a cultural institution in Melbourne. Having observed the panels on display at the Prenzel Exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria some years ago, I know the panels will lose their context if separated from the grand staircase. In any event, their removal would represent a failure on the part of Western Victoria to preserve an important component of its rich cultural heritage. My view is that Glenormiston has significant potential as a show-case of colonial settlement, and as an interpretation centre for the volcanic formations in the surrounding countryside. Surely there is potential for Corangamite Shire, Tourism Victoria and other relevant agencies to work together to create such a concept; one that would initially safe-guard that asset and then develop into a significant cultural showcase and tourism draw card.
Val Pollard, Woodend
Lift epilepsy awareness
Over 800,000 Australians are affected by epilepsy in their life. Due to stigma and misconceptions, many do not disclose their condition. We want to bring epilepsy out of the shadows and help people live optimal lives. March 26 is Purple Day, an effort dedicated to increasing epilepsy awareness. As the largest national provider of support services, I urge you to donate or get involved. In advance, thank you to south-west residents for supporting us.
Carol Ireland, CEO, Epilepsy Action Aust
