Statement regarding Compensation

9 June 2002, 10.30am

Compensation payments are designed to help victims. They are well intentioned and are alternatives to costly, difficult legal proceedings.

Yesterday's Joint Statement by the Catholic Archbishops of Sydney and Melbourne explains the policy of the Melbourne and Sydney Archdioceses.

The Joint Statement is just that. It is about the Melbourne and Sydney Archdioceses. It cannot, and does not, speak for other Catholic dioceses or religious orders in Australia.

Contrary to general public understanding, authority in the Catholic Church is vested in many different groups, principally dioceses and religious orders.

Each is independent in the conduct of its affairs and speaks for itself.

Dioceses and orders have agreed, however, to act within national protocols. These have been implemented in a variety of ways, especially in compensation.

I am Archbishop of Sydney, not Archbishop of New South Wales, and do not speak for other dioceses.

Sister Angela Ryan, head of the Towards Healing program, stated in today's Sun Herald that secrecy provisions are totally against the spirit of the Towards Healing program.

Obviously, it is clear that further work needs to be done by dioceses and orders to co-ordinate the form of compensation payments and prevent them being misunderstood as "hush money".

webmaster www.evangelizationstation.com