Marking 6 years of the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
The Assembly has released a liturgy and a statement from President Rev Charissa Suli to mark the Anniversary
September 18, 2024
On 22 October 2018, former Prime Minister Hon Scott Morrison MP delivered an historic National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse. This year marks the sixth Anniversary of the National Apology.
The Uniting Church in Australia acknowledges and laments the role of the Uniting Church and its predecessor churches in causing harm to children. It is fully committed to growing a culture of safety across the whole Church and creating communities where all people can flourish in safety and security.
To mark the Anniversary, the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly has released a worship liturgy and a statement. Find these resources below.
"The anniversary gives us the opportunity to reflect and restate our commitment to listening, learning and doing better"
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Statement on the Fifth Anniversary of the National Apology to Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse
22 October 2024
October 22 marks the sixth anniversary of the National Apology to Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse.
“Every survivor. Every child. Every vulnerable person. The anniversary gives us the opportunity to reflect and restate our commitment to listening, learning and doing better,” says Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia.
“I am always humbled in this space – a student to the lessons of the past. We can never, we must never forget.”
“We continue to strive for churches that are safe for children and all people,” says Rev Suli. “The Uniting Church in Australia is united in its commitment to safeguarding.”
A liturgy of lament is available for all congregations to mark the anniversary. It is a reminder not only of the wrongs of the past, but also of the need to remain vigilant. The liturgy reflects the sorrow of the Church and the harm it has been involved in, and laments the abuse of children in our care.
This time of reflection is a reminder to all congregations of our need to ensure we are compliant with regulation but also that we are driving a culture of safety across the Uniting Church where the safety of children and vulnerable people is a priority.
“Compliance is bare minimum. And bare minimum is not a high enough standard when it comes to protecting children,” says Rev Suli.
The liturgy material also includes resources to support congregations to be trauma informed in the delivery of the liturgy.
“This can be confronting,” says Rev Suli, “but this does not mean we can turn away. These terrible things must be brought into the light so we never forget and these breaches of justice are never repeated.”
Download the statement as a PDF
Click below to download the Liturgy
Read more Assembly news
Chairs appointed to lead new National Commissions
Chairs appointed to lead new National Commissions The Uniting Church in Australia Assembly is delighted to announce the appointment of Chairs for two new Uniting Church National CommissionsThe Uniting Church in Australia Assembly is delighted to announce the appointment of Chairs to lead two new National Commissions. Established by the 17th Assembly out of a…
Planting Hope: Vision, Volunteers and a Community Revitalised
Planting Hope: Vision, Volunteers and a Community Revitalised A 20-year dream has been fulfilled in the outback terrain of South Australia, bringing the hope of Jesus to a remote communityBy Rob Floyd, National Director of Frontier ServicesIt isn’t often that you embark on an epic journey, through vast expanses of desert, to witness the birth…
Yarta Wandatha: The land is speaking
Yarta Wandatha: the land is speaking, the people are speaking Walking with Elders, learning from their ancient wisdom and wrestling with the lessons that creation – ‘God’s oldest voice’ – has to teach us todayThis article was first published in VOX, the bulletin of the University of Divinity. It is republished with permission. By Dr…
Report: Sydney Friends of Standing Together
Sydney Friends of Standing Together event calls for peace The peace group, aligned with global movement Standing Together, held a rally in Sydney on 4 May in support of Jerusalem peace summitwritten by Rev Lindsay Cullen, Assembly Associate General Secretary Sydney Friends of Standing Together (SFOST) is a group aligned with Standing Together, which describes…
'Even the stones': A statement on Palestine - Easter 2025
“If we do not speak, even the stones will cry out” In the season of Easter 2025 and following the 77th anniversary of the Nakba, President of the Uniting Church Rev Charissa Suli has released a statement affirming the solidarity of the Uniting Church with suffering Palestine STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITING CHURCH…
Assembly Pride Circle: Call for EoIs
Call for Expressions of Interest: Assembly Pride Circle The Assembly Standing Committee has resolved to form an Assembly Circle of Interest for LGBTIQA+ members and allies to work togetherCall for Expressions of Interest Assembly Pride Circle The Assembly Standing Committee has resolved to form an Assembly Circle of Interest for LGBTIQA+ members and allies to…
The UCA congratulates the Catholic church on a new Pope
The Uniting Church in Australia congratulates the Roman Catholic Church on the election of Pope Leo XIV The historic election gives the worldwide Catholic Church its first Pope born in the United States of AmericaStatement from the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly on the Election of a New Pope Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli…
Hubs: We are a Multicultural Church Anniversary
40 years on from ‘We are a Multicultural Church’: National Theological Consultation A three-day National Theological Consultation with hubs around the country will kick off national celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the 1985 statement40th Anniversary of the 1985 ‘The Uniting Church is a Multicultural Church’ Statement National Theological Consultation: 10-12 June 2025 2025 marks…