Archbishop

I am grateful to God that this ordeal is over and that the enquiry has exonerated me of all allegations.

The Honourable A.J. Southwell, Q.C. was appointed to determine, under specific Terms of Reference, whether or not the complaint was established. In his findings released today the Commissioner has gone as far as the Terms of Reference allowed him to go in exonerating me.

When a person is under extreme pressure, personal values may crumble. However my Catholic convictions sustained me during those dark weeks. I found a great strength in regular prayer and in reflecting on the great Christian teachings about suffering, death and resurrection. My confidence that God loves us all without exception, and that He asks of us justice, truth and a compassion which bears no one ill will, was never shaken. In addition, I was immensely consoled by the love, support and loyalty of family and friends.

As you are well aware I submitted myself to the rigorous scrutiny of this five-day enquiry, which produced 561 pages of transcript. It heard from 15 witnesses and considered statements from another 17 witnesses. I have faxed to Archbishop Philip Wilson, co-chair with Brother Michael Hill of the Towards Healing process and co-appointer of the enquiry, my consent to the public release of the full transcript of the enquiry and all the exhibits.

I am deeply grateful to all those who supported me in many different ways: my family and friends, my defence team, the Catholic community, lay people, bishops, priests and religious, and Christians of all other denominations, people of other religions, people of no religion and, in a particular way, people who explained to me that, although they differed from me in matters of religion, morality or social life, they wished to offer me their support.

I have just celebrated Mass for all those caught up in the tragedy of Bali, and look forward to being in the office tomorrow, resuming my work of spreading the Catholic faith and celebrating Mass on Sundays, as usual, at St. Mary's Cathedral.

webmaster www.evangelizationstation.com