I suppose I should call this blog post the third installment in my ‘World Youth Day’ series, as it has turned out to be quite an event, and I’m not talking about the ‘pilgrims’ who have flooded Sydney in the name of faith. I have been quietly laughing at the incredible faux pa’s that are being made by the Sydney church heirachy.
As I said in my last post, first it was Cardinal George Pell. He was yet again put under the microscope today about the issue of sexual abuse, and again handled the matter in that robotic, stoic, unfeeling manner that he does so well. I wish someone could check under his cassock and check that he is, in fact, real.
Today, however, belonged to the youngest Catholic Bishop in the country, Anthony Fisher, who has been criticised over the Church’s response to a case of sexual abuse by a Catholic priest in Melbourne.During a news conference today, Bishop Fisher made remarks that have enraged advocates for sex abuse victims.
And just when George Pell was hoping the issue of sexual abuse by Catholic priests would not overshadow World Youth Day celebrations.
Bishop Fisher was questioned about how the Church handled a particular case of sexual abuse of two young sisters by their parish priest in a suburb of Melbourne, whose Archbishop at the time was none other than George Pell.
“Happily, I think most of Australia was enjoying delighting in the beauty and goodness of these young people and the hope – the hope for us doing these sorts of things better in the future – as we saw last night, rather than, than dwelling crankily, as a few people are doing, on old wounds,” he said.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/16/2305856.htm
It there was ever a more out of touch human being on the planet, it would be Anthony Fisher. Why are his views being given airplay? Because the World Youth Day is his little baby; he’s organised it. So, this snotty little glorified parish priest wants everyone to love him this week, and he will not tolerate anyone stealing his thunder. People have been abused by members of the church, the church has had to be kicking and screaming to the courts in order to pay any decent money out in compensation, and this guy has the gall to brush their concerns aside as”dwelling crankily… on old wounds.”
Oh yes, Bishop Fisher. It was only sexual abuse. It only screwed thousands of children’s lives up, and continues to do so. But hey Bishop, you have a lovely time at World Youth Day, and instead of using the event for real healing, the Australian Catholic church is trying to sweep it under the carpet.
I am the last person to admire Pope Benedict XVI, but at least there is talk that he intends to apologise for the church’s handling of sexual abuse. He is at least saying that it existed and people need to heal. George Pell and Anthony Fisher can’t do that. I now know why Anthony Fisher was made a Bishop at such a young age (he is 47). He said the right things, did the right things, and made sure he was the perfect student in the class, and above all, defends George Pell at every turn.
I am sure that if one of his family members was sexually abused by a priest, he would most definitely be one of those ‘cranky’ people, digging up ‘old wounds’.
Show just a scrap of compassion, Bishop.
Enjoy your day.
