Ballarat Bishop, Paul Bird has written to all local parishes in the central Victorian regional town calling on all Catholics to keep in their thoughts and prayers the survivors of child sexual abuse who will be giving evidence at the Commission hearing over the coming three weeks.
"The hearings will be very stressful for survivors and their families and for people across our region. People will be deeply upset by the accounts of crimes against children and by the failings of church leaders in responding to these crimes. I encourage you to support one another through these difficult days," Bishop Bird wrote.
Tuesday sees the start of a three week scheduled public hearing of the Royal Commission into the child sex abuses scandals within the Catholic Church in the Ballarat Diocese.
For most Catholics this news is met with a sense of dread and shame. For the community of Ballarat and it's surrounds it is bittersweet.
The Royal Commission has been allocated another $167,643 over the next three years from this year's Budget.
The money is expected to help with hearings and allow commissioners to report findings and make recommendations before winding up towards the end of 2017.
Financial assistance toward legal costs and witness expenses has been budgeted at $13,200 while the budget for community legal services supporting the Commission is $15,000.
Commission research
The Royal Commission is undertaking a comprehensive research program to support its work and address the Terms of Reference.
As well as the research being conducted by the Commission into the histories of the Salesians, Marist Brothers, Christian Brothers, De La Salle and Sisters of Mercy, the Commission is undertaking a range of other research projects of particular interest.
TJHC CEO, Francis Sullivan, will be visiting a number of parishes in June to talk about the work of the Truth Justice and Healing Council and the Church's reform agenda.
Everyone is welcome
10 JUNE 2015 Parish meeting The Stella Maris Parish 37 Baden Powell St, Maroochydore QLD 4558 Phone 07 5443 3488 TIME: 7.00-9.30pm
11 JUNE 2015 Parish meeting St Mary's Cathedral Parish Centre Harrington St, Hobart TIME: 7.30-9.30pm
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