A number of recent events have come together to remind me of\u00a0the ongoing need for opportunities for those who have suffered abuse and those who support them to reflect and pray.<\/p>\n
I had the solemn privilege of leading such a strong pastoral service – a service which was\u00a0suggested by a survivor of abuse.\u00a0The service was held\u00a0in Lent 2004 at St David’s Cathedral, Hobart, and in the north and north-west of Tasmania, and it commenced with\u00a0the welcome:<\/p>\n
Some are here because you personally have experienced the destructive effects of sexual abuse either in the church,\u2026 in your home,\u2026 or in your community.<\/em><\/p>\n Some are here because you wish to support survivors of abuse and pray for them.<\/em><\/p>\n Some are here to repent before God this great evil that was done in our church \u2013 and it was a great evil \u2013 I wish to take this opportunity to apologise unreservedly to any who were abused in any way by Anglican Church workers. I am very, very sorry. It should never have happened.<\/em><\/p>\n So for all these reasons, let us come to God together and I include myself in this time of prayer and reflection.<\/em><\/p>\n See the, Order of Service booklet for ‘Out of the Depths: A time of prayer and reflection with Bishop John Harrower for all those who have suffered from abuse’<\/em>, Out of the Depths with Welcome<\/a>\u00a0and I acknowledge my debt to Beryl Carmichael in the adaptation and formulation of this significant gathering. [pdf with white background! – Out of the Depths – Service and Welcome on A4]<\/a><\/p>\n See also, Prayers for survivors of abuse and perpetrators of abuse, here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A number of recent events have come together to remind me of\u00a0the ongoing need for opportunities for those who have suffered abuse and those who support them to reflect and pray. I had the solemn privilege of leading such a … Continue reading