Abuse apology reaches out

A Dandenong church is reaching out with an apology in a bid to reconnect with lapsed members.
St James’ Anglican Church has been a community fixture for more than 150 years and is holding Back to Church Sunday on Sunday 3 September.
Vicar, Archdeacon Jeff Parker, said on Thursday 3 August that the event was a day to welcome back those who had drifted away from church.
He hopes attendees will just say hello again or think about making a new commitment to being part the church and living the Christian life.
Fr Parker said the day would also address the issue of abuse within the church more broadly.
He said it was important for people to know that the church was very sorry for whatever abuse had occurred in the past.
It should not have happened, he said, and the church had taken many actions to make sure it did not happen in the future.
“There have been no incidents of abuse of which I am aware during recent years at St James,” Fr Parker said.
He’s served there since 2009.
“I have four children myself and if any of them had been abused at any time it would have been a shocking matter to deal with,” he said.
Fr Parker said the church also did not accept or condone family abuse inside or outside its membership.
He said such cases should be dealt with by the church and secular authorities.
“The overriding message of the Bible is one of mutual love and care,” he said.
“There is no place for family violence in the Christian home.
“Our regular services on 3 September will look closely at these issues and we will reinforce our commitment to pursue the values which protect children, strengthen families and welcome back those who have gone astray.”
St James’ Anglican Church is at 53 Langhorne Street, Dandenong, and can be contacted on 9793 3898.