From Way Down Under in Australia
Out of the depths of victims of abuse of leadership, are emerging some encouraging rewards of persistence that not only call attention to the need for justice and care of vulnerable people who are violated, but also create important initiatives toward changing the religious culture that feeds the compromise of power. The courageous leadership and system of personal account ability of Bishop Geoffrey Robinson in the Catholic archdiocese of Sydney can serve as a model across traditions of faith for religious professionals in all positions of responsibility. The pioneering work of advocacy for victims through In Good Faith Associates (Box 38, North Milbourne 3051); Micah House (20 Merivale St, South Brisbane 4101) with the newly established Esther Trust associated with St Mary's Community, and other organized counter voices, are timely forces of significant change. Especially noteworthy projects include, among others, the excellent educational video and teaching manual, Behind Closed Doors jointly sponsored by Anglicare of the Sydney Anglican diocese, and TAMAR (Anglicare, Box 427 Parramatta); the draft document, Integrity in Ministry for Catholic clergy and religious in Australia (NCPS, 20 Montacute Rd, Hectorville 5073); and the fine video, Keeping Trust (Educational Programmes, 30 Dryden St, Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand). RP