As you know the Pope is visiting Britain in September. What’s this got to do with NAPAC? Answer. Over the years we have heard from lots of people who suffered child abuse at the hands of Catholic (and other) clergy.

I was brought up as a Roman Catholic and I remain a Christian. However, in common with many other Catholics and former Catholics I have some concerns about this visit and about the appalling record the Roman Catholic Church has in terms of addressing child abuse. Whatever the provisions now in place to make the Church a ‘safe’ place for children and vulnerable people, the past has seen some pretty appalling cover-ups. Worse still we know that not that long ago abusing priests were moved from one place to another following allegations of abuse. My heart goes out to the millions of good Catholics around the world who must be feeling terribly let down by their leaders but that is nothing compared to the pain I feel for the millions of people around the world who suffered abuse. They have to live with that everyday and for the rest of their lives.

I do not mind the Pope coming to my country but given all that has happened I hope he is prepared to meet with survivors of abuse. And I don’t mean a carefully stage-managed event where those people are not allowed to speak to him in private. He needs to hear some home truths. If he is genuine, indeed I would say if he is a Christian, then he will meet survivors and demonstrate by his subsequent actions that he takes this matter seriously.

There is a pressure group formed which opposes the visit and I do have some sympathy for their actions. Indeed, much of what they say is legitimate and sound. I know some of them personally and I want to work alongside them, not necessarily to prevent the Pope’s visit but to ensure that it is a productive visit and not just one big photo-opportunity or publicity stunt.

The opportunity to converse with the head of a Congregation numbering a billion is not one that we at NAPAC want to pass up. Not because we want to hob-nob with ‘The Pope’ but because we want to give him the opportunity to put into action the many words that have poured forth from the Vatican and some Catholic dioceses over  past months.

To us words are important, but without action they become hollow and meaningless. The action we would like to see includes the Church divesting itself of some of it’s assets and turning them in to resources to help survivors. I am not talking about personal payouts necessarily though many survivors deserve as much but I would like to see the Catholic Church (and other religious institutions) turn their words into action. It is harder for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle!  Watch this space!

Pete Saunders

5th May 2010

Was the Archbishop's apology enough?

Here's the reaction from Pete Saunders, NAPAC CEO:

Should child abusers be given the right to appeal to have their names removed from the Sex Offenders Register?

Here's the reaction from Pete Saunders, NAPAC CEO:

The film 'Precious' directed by Lee Daniels and based on the novel 'Push' by Sapphire has been released at selected cinemas across the UK.

Set in 1987, it is the story of Claireece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), a sixteen-year-old girl born into a life no one would choose. She's pregnant for the second time by her absent father; at home, she must wait hand and foot on her mother (Mo'Nique), a poisonously angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. School is a place of chaos, and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and an awful secret: she can neither read nor write. Precious is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school, Each One/Teach One. In the literacy workshop taught by the patient yet firm Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins a journey that will lead her from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, love and self-determination.

As the film deals with issues of severe abuse and neglect it has been suggested that cinemas showing this very powerful film provide some kind of support for patrons affected by what they see in the film. We are pleased to announce that Premier PR online and Icon Film Distribution would like to show their support to NAPAC and have provided us with a trailer for the movie.

To view the trailer please go to the NAPAC home page and click on the 'Survivors' tab at the top of the page.

(Updated 29th January 2010)