Community Resources
These resources may be helpful to facilitate discussions around the Royal Commission in schools and Parishes.
The Atonement: Lina's Project
MN News - 15 September 2017
Liturgy launches safeguarding month
Broken Bay News - 31 August 2017
St Stanislaus College Public Apology booklet
16 June 2017
Liturgical booklet - St Stanislaus' College Bathurst 150 year celebration
20 January 2017
Opening Ceremony - Sacred Heart Presentation
12 October 2015
A Prayer for Children
Rockhampton Diocese 13 September 2014
A Parish Faces the Royal Commission
Tony Doherty, parish priest of Rose Bay Parish in Sydney, offers a suggestion for parishes to address the feelings arising in the hearts of those in the pews as we hear the stories of abuse and how they were handled. While a very practical and detailed program, it also offers hope and insight. It is offered as one parishes' experience to be adapted and used in other places.
Mass for the Survivors of Sex Abuse
Motivated by the need to play an active role with respect to the healing of survivors of sexual abuse, parishioners at the Stella Maris Parish in Moroochydore, Qld aimed to provide a prayerful setting in their local church so that members of the parish along with survivors and their families would experience together a sense of caring, love and concern.
Parishioners said that this Mass which was held for the survivors of sexual abuse on the feast of the Holy Innocents, 28th December 2013, encouraged survivors to feel that there is a loving place for them alongside their fellow Catholics.
The Commitment of the Australian Catholic Church
The Catholic Church in Australia, in its submissions to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and in its communications with both the Catholic and broader communities has made this commitment.
Easy Read Guide to the Royal Commission
This is an Easy Read Guide to Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse which can be found on the Commonwealth Department of Social Services web site.
Broken Bay Diocese guide to the Royal Commission
This is a booklet produced by the Diocese of Broken Bay in Sydney to provide information to parishioners on the Royal Commission, the TJHC and services and assistance for victims.
About the Royal Commission and Truth Justice and Healing Council: Powerpoint presentation
This PowerPoint presentation could be used in any number of environments to talk about the Royal Commission and the Truth Justice and Healing Council. It provides a simple introduction to the Commission and its operation as an overview of how the TJHC was set up and what it will be doing
An example of a letter for parents from a school (St. Patrick's College, Strathfield) about the Royal Commission
This letter was sent to the parents of students at St Patrick’s College, Strathfield, in Sydney’s inner west about the establishment and the school’s support for the Royal Commission.
Truth Justice and Healing information flyer
This is a word version of the Truth Justice and Healing Council's brochure which includes an outline of the work of the Council, a simple FAQ, supportive quotes from Church leaders and contact details for the Council.
Truth Justice and Healing Council brochure
Area Specific information flyers
These are diocese specific versions of the TJHC information flyer including quotes from local bishops and church leaders
A Healing prayer, written in response to the Royal Commission
This is a Healing Prayer written by an inner Sydney Parish Council praying for the victims of clerical sexual abuse and the success of the Royal Commission.
Draft Parish response to the Royal Commission
This is a letter read at Mass over a number of weeks outlining the approach an inner Sydney Parish has taken to encourage parishioners to talk about the Commission and its implications for victims and the Catholic Church.