Pope's abuse zero tolerance, possible police apology, Frankly Speaking and more

Welcome to the Truth, Justice and Healing Council eNewsletter January 2017 View in Browser Forward to a Friend Subscribe

Pope's New Year message to Bishops: abuse zero tolerance In a letter sent to bishops around the world for the feast of the Holy Innocents, Pope Francis lamented the many children who suffer from war, slavery and various forms of abuse, including within the Church. The Church not only hears the "cries of pain" of her children who suffer from war, slavery and malnutrition, he said, but she also weeps "because she recognizes the sins of some of her members: the sufferings, the experiences and the pain of minors who were abused sexually by priests." Feast of the Innocents letter to Bishops from Pope 2 January 2017 Pope Francis's 'tears' on child sex abuse a balm for Catholic Church The Australian - 6 January 2016 Pope Francis tells bishops to maintain 'zero tolerance' for child sexual abuse by clergy ABC Online - 3 January 2017 Pope kicks off new year renewing 'zero tolerance' policy on abuse Catholic News Agency - 2 January 2017     Frankly speaking... The upcoming final hearing of the Catholic Church at the Royal Commission begins on 6 February and is expected to run for three weeks. Unlike the case studies this hearing will be less forensic in nature and more of an exploration of the causes and contributing factors for the institutional responses from Church Authorities to child sex abuse cases. As I have previously mentioned this is an important hearing and is vital to the overall assessment the Commission will make of the Church's response to this scandal. Latest from the Council Fighting sex abuse in the Church goes global Jesuit Father Hans Zollner, president of the Center for Child Protection at the Gregorian University, believes that the church's typical top-down approach in handling sex-abuse allegations may not be enough. He proposes a global alliance comprised by individual priests, religious and laity along with Catholic universities, religious orders and bishops' conferences. Fighting sex abuse in the Church goes global, from the ground up Catholic News Service - 30 December 2016 Police chiefs planning to apologise to child-sex victims The nation's police commissioners are set to make a historic apol­ogy to the victims of child-sex abuse in institutional care who were not believed when they reported these crimes or, worse, were returned to their abusers. Police chiefs planning to apologise to child-sex victims The Australian - 17 January 2017 SA residential care workers to undergo psych testing All South Australian Government residential care workers will undergo psychological testing before being given the all-clear to work with vulnerable children. The testing was one of a number of recommendations made by two-year Child Protection Systems Royal Commission into abuse of vulnerable children in state care by former Families SA carer and paedophile Shannon McCoole. Child Protection Systems Royal Commission: SA residential care workers to undergo psych testing ABC online - 11 January 2017 O'Malley appointed to Vatican office that reviews abuse cases Boston Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley was appointed last week by the Pope to a powerful Vatican office that reviews sex abuse cases. O'Malley, who sits on the council of cardinal advisers who help Pope Francis in the reform of the Roman Curia, also leads the Commission for the Protection of Minors. His appointment to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is being seen as a sign of resolve in the fight against clerical sexual abuse. Pope Francis appoints O'Malley in renewed push to make bishop accountable for clerical sexual abuse failings TJHC media release - 16 January 2017 In sign of resolve, Pope taps O'Malley for Vatican office handling abuse cases Crux - 14 January 2017 O'Malley is named to Vatican office that reviews abuse cases Boston Globe - 15 January 2017   Copyright © 2017 Truth, Justice and Healing Council   |   Privacy Policy

What's on in February? | Catholic Faith & Life Events Guide

What's on in February? Welcome to 2017! I hope and pray that this year will be one of new life, hope and enthusiasm for you in deepening and fostering your relationship with Jesus and desire to welcome others into a similar relationship. 2017 sees an exciting development of a ministry of sharing faith (evangelisation) within our Diocese. We are getting back to basics by inviting people like yourself, through Alpha and similar programs, to enter more deeply into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Through experiencing his presence each one of us are empowered and enabled to share the joy of this relationship with all those around us. Over the course of the year we will supplement the Alpha courses with faith formation events aimed at supporting you in understanding contemporary issues as they relate to our life of faith and belief in God. Issues such as euthanasia, love and marriage, care for creation, and justice. We look forward to seeing you at these faith and life opportunities throughout the year and I wish you all God's blessings for the year ahead. . Liturgy Notes Liturgy Notes is now available at www.liturgydow.org.au including music suggestions until Easter, with quick links for January and February, Children's liturgy suggestions for January and February, and the latest updates to the Liturgy Handbook. Contact Paul Mason 4222 2462 or paul.mason@dow.org.au for info. Love & Marriage in Pope Francis' Amoris Laetitia Beginning with a light supper at 7pm we ask the question: How do we face the challenging questions of love, marriage, family and relationship within a Christian context? Lead by Fr Elio Capra, the evening explores these questions and the theology and spirituality underpinning Pope Francis' The Joy of Love, (Amoris Laetitia). Registration essential for catering purposes to Varroville Parish Office on 9603 7373 or varroville@dow.org.au THURSDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2017 7:00pm-9:30pm Parish Hall Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish (193 St Andrews Rd, Varroville) Called to Liturgical Ministry Training Have you considered serving your parish as an Acolyte, Adult Altar Server, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, or Minister of Communion of the Sick and Dying? The 2017 Diocesan Training courses in these ministries are scheduled for Saturday 11 and 25 February 2017, with institution and commissioning ceremonies to be held during May. More information about these ministries can be found in the Ministry Directory publication available from the parish office, and on the website. SATURDAY 11 FEBRUARY 10am-4pm for Acolytes & Adult Altar Servers 10am-1pm for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion St John the Evangelist Parish Hall (35 Cordeaux St, Campbelltown) Led by Bishop Peter Ingham and members of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea provided. Registration essential by 8 February to Helen Bennett 4222 2403 or helen.bennett@dow.org.au. SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 10am-2:30pm for Ministers of Holy Communion of the Sick & Dying St John the Evangelist Parish Hall (35 Cordeaux St, Campbelltown) Pre-requisite of prior training as an Acolyte, Adult Altar Server or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Led by members of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission. Morning tea and lunch provided. Registration essential by 22 February to Helen Bennett 4222 2403 or helen.bennett@dow.org.au. Encountering Jesus the Word of God Would you like to get more out of listening to the readings at Mass? How can I deepen my relationship with Jesus through reflecting on the Scriptures? In this session we will explore these questions through focusing upon the Liturgy of the Word and personal prayer. There will be both input and time for personal reflection. Come along and encounter Jesus through his Word. Registration essential by Wednesday 15 February to Helen Bennett on 4222 2403 or helen.bennett@dow.org.au or the Moss Vale Parish Office on 4868 1931. FRIDAY 17 FEBRUARY 10:30am-12:30pm St Paul's Parish Hall (24 Garrett St, Moss Vale)

Catholic Diocese of Wollongong · PO Box 1239 · Wollongong, Nsw 2500 · Australia