Voice for victims earns Pride of Australia nomination for Julian Punch

A FORMER Catholic priest and social advocate is as pleased as punch he has been nominated for a Pride of Australia award.

Julian Punch has been nominated for a Pride Australia Award for overcoming adversity and improving the lives of others. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

A FORMER Catholic priest and social advocate is as pleased as punch he has been nominated for a Pride of Australia award.

Julian Punch was in Bangladesh doing community work when the Mercury rang to advise his name had been put forward for News Corp’s annual community recognition awards and said he was surprised and humbled by the attention.

Mr Punch’s recent campaign to have a sculpture depicting convicted sex offender Monsignor Phillip Green removed from St Mary’s Cathedral had borne fruit.

Now he wants to know where it is being stored and what will finally happen to it.

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Mr Punch has been nominated for a Pride of Australia medal for “overcoming personal adversity through determination and strength of character to improve the quality of not only their lives but also those around them”.

“That’s amazing and unexpected and humbling,” he said. “I will continue on the behalf of victims to put pressure on Archbishop Julian Porteous to have the statue melted down and recast as a symbol of apology to Monsignor Green’s victims.”

Mr Punch says he has received messages of support from victims, their loved ones and the broader Tasmanian community for his push to remove all references to Monsignor Green, who, in 2004, pleaded guilty to groping a grieving 22-year-old man and received a suspended three-month jail term.

“It is timely for a proactive program of apology and reparation to be developed in discussion with Catholics and the clergy,” he said.

“The Archbishop needs to provide the public and Catholic faithful with assurances that old threats and intimidation are not the way to deal with this terrible affliction in the church.”

Do you know a local hero who deserves to be recognised? Nominate them now at prideofaustralia.com.au