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Apology a positive step forward says Uniting Church

National Director of UnitingCare Australia Lin Hatfield Dodds. Photo by Mardi Lumsden

The Uniting Church in Australia has today welcomed the Federal Government’s formal apology to the Forgotten Australians.

President of the Uniting Church, Rev. Alistair Macrae, said that the church had also acknowledged and apologised for its role in any harmful institutional care practices.

“Following the 2004 Forgotten Australians report, the Uniting Church apologised for any physical, psychological or social harm that may have occurred to individuals in the care of institutions of the Uniting Church and its predecessor churches,” Rev. Macrae said.

“We congratulate the Australian Government on taking this step today.

“Symbolic gestures such as an apology can ease the hurt experienced and recognise the impact of the neglect and abuse suffered at the hands of caregivers.”

National Director of UnitingCare Australia, Lin Hatfield Dodds, said that the apology must now be supported by action.

“We urge all governments to take the next step of implementing constructive measures to continue the healing process begun today by this apology,” Ms Hatfield Dodds said.

“The Uniting Church, through UnitingCare, is committed to ensuring that children and families receive the best facilities and care possible and we are constantly working to improve them.

“Today’s apology is a reminder that we need to work together to ensure the mistakes of the past are never repeated.”

UnitingCare Australia is an agency of the Uniting Church in Australia. It represents the Uniting Church’s network of community service providers, of which there are over 1,300 service delivery sites nationwide.

Photo : National Director of UnitingCare Australia Lin Hatfield Dodds. Photo by Mardi Lumsden