Direct from the TC: Updating our Army on the Royal Commission
Commissioner James Condon addresses The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory on the Royal Commission and our response.
Dear friends,
Many around the country will have been deeply grieved this week as witnesses at the Royal Commission hearings have described horrific acts by Salvation Army officers in decades past.
We, as an Army, are deeply grieved by accounts of child sexual abuse inflicted on children who were placed in our care. We, as an Army, acknowledge that this abuse was a failure of the greatest magnitude. We must never let this happen again.
You will have been appalled at what some young boys suffered. I know your hearts will ache for the enormous criminal damage done. You will be deeply disturbed that such things could have happened in Salvation Army centres.
Peter Farthing and I thank you - and the hundreds of Salvationists and friends across the country and around the world - for many, many kind notes of encouragement, scriptures and assurances of prayer. We are grateful, and ask that you also continue to pray for the survivors of abuse.
Next week, Peter and I will give evidence. Please pray that we will continue to clearly and accurately represent the truth. Pray that we can represent the true spirit of the Army you love.
Today’s Army has a strong responsibility to all who suffered abuse of any kind. We continue to urge all survivors to contact us. Our Professional Standards team welcomes survivors with respect and compassion. We are determined to do the right thing by men and women who were abused.
I am very conscious that these days have an impact on you and your Salvation Army congregations and centres of operation. You are engaging with so many people - within and outside our movement - who are understandably disillusioned. Many officers and soldiers will interact with the public in hotels and clubs and on the street this weekend, and there will quite likely be a mixture of rebuke combined with other words of support.
Please remember it is important to listen compassionately rather than try to defend ourselves. There is no excuse or justification for the atrocities committed by members of our organisation in the past. If anyone you meet has questions about the Royal Commission that you are unable to answer, please remember that you can refer them to our website salvos.org.au/royalcommission to access further information.
Please also remember that any person wishing to report abuse should be referred to our Professional Standards Office, and that all enquiries from journalists or media outlets must be referred to our media office. You can find these contact details on salvos.org.au/royalcommission
Please know I am thinking and praying for you, deeply appreciative of your ongoing ministry and diligence.
Yours faithfully,
Commissioner James Condon
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