Feeling sadness for the victims of clergy abuse
IT WAS without sadness that I read of the death of Father Frank Madden – more my sadness and concern was for the now adults, who were children at the time, and subjected to vile actions by then Father Gerald Risdale.
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Risdale came to my then parish with his vile past known by Bishop Mulkearns and Frank Madden.
This has been established in the recent Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
I was disgusted when, some years after leaving Horsham, it was revealed the extent of the horror this creature Risdale had put children through.
I was, and still am, disgusted with the church for not making me aware of his past and the danger he may be to our children then as in my then role as officer in charge of the Criminal Investigation Branch, it may have eventually fallen on my detectives to investigate further offences.
It was not until some 20 years later that we became aware that our own family was among the victims.
My sadness is for the victims.
Doug Lewis, Kilsyth
Schools should focus on teaching the basics
THE (UK) National Union of Teachers (NUT) at its annual conference in Cardiff Wales, passed a motion that two-year-old children should be taught about lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender issues.
Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine commented: "With such blatant politicisation, not to mention brainwashing going on in our schools, is it any wonder that more and more children are declaring themselves confused about their gender?"
Ciaran Kelly, head of communications at The Christian Institute said: "The NUTs' motion is yet another example of adults pursuing a political agenda at the expense of vulnerable children – it's shocking and immoral."
What do we think of Premier Daniel Andrews' plans for Victorian schools? Should he follow the lead of the NSW state government and drop the Safe Schools Coalition program? The numbers of Australian children presenting to doctors with gender-confusion issues since the program began here strongly suggests the premier should do away with it as also the other programs for toddlers and primary age children.
Back to the three Rs reading, (w)riting and 'rithmatic. Parents, not teachers, are the ones to instil respect and raise their children for good relationships throughout life.
Robert Worthington, Warracknabeal
Mateship defines our nation’s character
THE enduring Anzac legacy and the ideal of mateship are more important than ever.
Mateship is an integral part of the Australian identity. It’s an ideal that defines our nation’s character – this idea of looking out for each other, through the good times and the bad.
The Salvos have served alongside Australian troops in both World Wars and has supported them on deployments in Korea and Vietnam. Today, we are present in military bases across the country.
We’ve been there providing support to our troops in their times of need – giving them a hand up and a listening ear in their darkest times. We recognise the power of mateship and why it’s a vital part of the Australian spirit.
Whether a simple act of kindness or helping someone rebuild after tragedy – mateship is the common thread that unites us and something that will always endure.
As we enter these uncertain times, I encourage all Australians to reflect on the ANZAC spirit and the strength and hope it brings, and remember why mateship is an ideal still worth fighting for.
Lt Colonel Kelvin Pethybridge, chief secretary in charge, The Salvation Army
