Statement

A MESSAGE FROM DR PETER F JENSEN, ARCHBISHOP OF SYDNEY

My dear Friends

Issues of child abuse and sexual misconduct generally within the Anglican Church have, in the recent past, been widely reported in the public media.  I want to reaffirm our abhorrence of such behaviour.  There is no doubt that we must continue to maintain a culture of rejection of sexual misconduct and abuse of children within this Diocese as we remain true to biblical standards of morality.

The Bible teaches that children were a special concern of the Lord Jesus.  May I remind you of the words of Mark 10 verses 14-16.  Let little children come to me and do not hinder them for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter into it.  And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. In the whole biblical record there is a special concern for the vulnerable, the weak and the needy, especially children.  This wealth of biblical teaching mandates our own personal behaviour and attitudes, and those of our congregations, their leadership and the Church.  Indeed, there is a special biblical demand on those in Christian leadership, for example, in 1 Timothy chapter 3.

Because of the biblical mandate, any misconduct by clergy or a lay leader must be viewed with very great seriousness and action taken immediately.  Our procedures are intended to be both fair to all parties and compassionate.  Whilst the gospel clearly allows for forgiveness for any wrongdoer, the consequences of sexual misconduct or abuse by church leaders in most cases will result in them being unsuitable to hold office.

The whole issue of abuse and sexual misconduct has been high priority for me from the time I assumed office as Archbishop of Sydney.  Immediately I sought to review the procedures which were already in place in the Diocese.  Considerable time was spent in this review.  I consulted with representatives of victims, experts in the area of child abuse, welfare and counselling professionals and lawyers.  I then received a detailed report from the Director of our diocesan Professional Standards Unit, which outlined improvements especially in communication and care for victims.  I will continue to see these procedures are reviewed. A Safe Ministry Board has been established to ensure that this happens.

The Diocese of Sydney has already responded fully to the shortcomings identified in the findings of the Wood Royal Commission.  The Synod passed rules in 1996, updated in 2002 and 2006 (the Discipline Ordinance 2006) which provide a mechanism for allegations and complaints to be dealt with and wrongdoers to be removed from their positions in the Church.  Synod has also allocated significant funds to allow for the establishment of the Professional Standards Unit which deals with these matters.  There is a system of reporting, investigation and consideration.  I am confident we have set up procedures which will review and act immediately upon any allegation which comes before us. The protection of children and other vulnerable people will be given priority whilst also ensuring that the rights of Respondents are appropriately protected.

An important part of the processes was the establishment of independent Contact Persons, who are not church employees, and who can be reached by telephone.  Each of them is a professionally trained counsellor who will listen to victims, and endeavour to assist them decide what action they want.  The existence of these Contact Persons is advertised every month in Southern Cross Newspaper so that these avenues of accessibility are always kept before the people of the diocese. There is an abuse report line 1800 77 49 45 and the possibility of e mail contact at . There is also a comprehensive process in place to ensure that those who disclose matters to the Church are supported.

I want to pay particular tribute to a group called TAMAR (Towards a More Appropriate Response). These Christian women - survivors of abuse, family, friends and supporters - were significant over recent decades in prophetically calling the Anglican Diocese of Sydney to account for abuse within the Church. The responses, practices and procedures which they called for and recommended have now occurred, in no small part because of their advocacy. On behalf of the Diocese I want to honour them, acknowledge that the Church is in their debt and give thanks to God for their courage and persistance. 

All parish leadership are encouraged to ensure that these procedures and resources are made known and understood by everyone.  I want us always to meet in a church culture which allows every person who considers that they have been a victim of sexual misconduct or abuse to report the matter and have every confidence that they will be heard.

Our policies, procedures and practices must remain under review to ensure that they are efficient, fair, compassionate and effective.

We must pray continually for those who have been victims of abuse and sexual misconduct.  Again I emphasise the great concern that we have for the victims of all forms of abuse, and especially children.  We should pray, in the midst of these events where the whole Church is under scrutiny in the public arena, that God’s name will be glorified and opportunities will arise for people to hear the saving Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

With my very best wishes

Yours sincerely,

Peter F Jensen
Archbishop