Catholic schools fear Pell conviction fallout

Catholic schools are in damage control following ­George Pell’s conviction for sexual abuse.

“There will be some people on the margins of the religion who might have friends saying ‘why would you send your kids to a Catholic school’”

Catholic schools are in damage control following ­George Pell’s conviction for sexual abuse, ­reassuring families that the protection of children in their care is paramount.

Several principals have this week written to parents, acknowledging the serious breach of trust and signalling ongoing support for victims of institutional child sex abuse.

Privately, several school leaders have expressed concern about the impact of the verdict on the reputation of the Catholic school sector, which comprises 1750 schools and educates close to 800,000 students, including many who are not of the Catholic faith.

 

St Kevin’s College headmaster Stephen Russell wrote to parents this week to reassure them the school was committed to the safety of their children and there was “zero-tolerance” for child abuse.

“We are now most of the way through talking to all boys about child safety and to the secondary students informing them of the conviction of Cardinal George Pell,” Mr Russell said. “We must accept the rule of law absolutely and always consider and respect victims.”

Pell’s conviction is particularly sensitive for St Kevin’s, based in Melbourne’s Toorak, given its ties to St Patrick’s Cathedral, where Pell was found to have sexually ­assaulted two choirboys in 1996.

“As headmaster, I will meet with any past or current pupil and their parents needing support,” Mr Russell said.

Melbourne’s Marcellin College principal Mark Murphy dedicated his weekly blog message to the Pell verdict, saying there was “no greater breach of the trust of children, their families and communities”.

“As a Catholic, a Marist, and a principal in Catholic education, I am deeply sorry to all those who have suffered sexual abuse at the hands of people in our Catholic ­institutions,” he said.

One principal told The Weekend Australian he was concerned Pell’s conviction, although subject to an appeal, could drive some families away from Catholic schools. The principal said many families chose a Catholic education not necessarily because of the religious values but broader shared social values.

“There will be some people on the margins of the religion who might have friends saying, ‘why would you send your kids to a Catholic school’, who might be worried about that,” the principal said. “I do worry about that.”

Council of Catholic School Parents acting executive director Mary Ryan backed the principals who had reached out to their communities. She said it was possible some parents might desert Catholic schools, but extensive work had been conducted over the past 20 years to improve safety in schools. “It’s a really difficult time for people of faith … but not as difficult as compared with those who have been victims,” she said.

Loreto Australia, which operates eight schools, wrote to members of its school community, expressing shock over Pell’s conviction. Province leader Wendy Hildebrand said “everyone should be equal under the law”.