A Warrnambool Catholic priest is reaching out to survivors of church child sex abuse.
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Father John Fitzgerald from St Joseph’s is publishing recovery tips for survivors in the church’s weekly newsletter in a bid to show his support.
He described the move as “minor but significant”.
The priest said it was a case of “silence no longer” and it was a way to be proactive and show support.
“We have heard the struggle and the hurt and the trust that’s been abused by people within the church,” Fr Fitzgerald said.
“The main thing is to know something is being done. That there are groups and individuals who really feel deeply for what has happened.
“This is one way we show our solidarity.”
Recovery group Moving Forward showed the My Ten Commandments #Child Abuse # Recovery, which was written by a survivor, to parish priest Father John Fitzgerald a couple of months ago.
The main thing is to know something is being done. That there are groups and individuals who really feel deeply for what has happened.
- Father John Fitzgerald
The 10 commandments encourage survivors to acknowledge that a terrible thing happened, recognise their feelings, find a support group and put the blame where it belongs.
Others encourage victims to not feel guilty, to forgive themselves, allow themselves to be angry, accept a child’s inability to control adults, to love themselves and remember they’re not alone.
Moving Forward is a Warrnambool group helping to find healing for the grief and the damage child sex abuse within the church has caused.
A commandment has been published in the weekly newsletter with a contact number for Lifeline.
Book marks with support service contact numbers were also distributed.
Fr Fitzgerald said he would continue healing prayers within services beyond the 10 commandments.
Moving Forward member Frank O’Connor said it was a huge step which took a lot of courage.
“He’s (Fr Fitzgerald’s) not rushing in there flags waving, nor is he retiring completely in silence,” he said.
Mr O’Connor admired Fr Fitzgerald’s balanced approach and his genuine concern.
“I think it encourages other people to come forward and acknowledge that wrong has been done. Because of the shame element that goes with it unfortunately a lot of the primary victims tend to isolate themselves.”