STORY - "Continuing the Healing Journey"

In the last issue of Aurora we reported on the opening of Zimmerman House, the new home in Carrington of the DiocesanChild Protection and Professional Conduct Unit. The opening and blessing of Zimmerman House marks a significant development in the work of this Unit.

Dr Beverly Zimmerman RSJ, Chancellor of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, was invited to become patron of the Unit and to give her name to its home. At the blessing of Zimmerman House, Bishop Michael explained that ‘Zimmerman’ means “carpenter”, which can be interpreted as “one who builds”, and so Zimmerman House is a place where, it is hoped, people will be “rebuilt and made whole again”.

Beverly is known for a number of significant contributions to the life of the diocese. She is respected as a music teacher and church historian and was loved by many teachers in her role as religious education advisor at the Catholic Schools Office.

For 14 years Beverly lived at the House of Hospitality, Adamstown. This initiative of the Sisters of St Joseph provides accommodation and support for those who find themselves homeless.

Three years ago Beverly was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. While this illness has, she says, slowed her down considerably, she remains enthusiastic about life and committed to supporting others wherever she can.

Aurora asked Beverly to tell us what it means to her to be the patron of Zimmerman House and to give us an insight into the important role that it plays in the Diocese:

I feel proud and privileged to be associated with the staff and work of Zimmerman House, and when the Manager of the unit, Helen Keevers, asked me if I would be patron, I immediately agreed.

Over the years I have heard from individuals their stories of sexual abuse by clergy. I have heard something of the suffering they have experienced, both now and in the past. I have heard from parishioners their disbelief and denial that the priest who has served them so well and done so much good could be guilty of such crimes.

I have heard people express their anger and confusion about how the diocese has or has not responded to a number of child protection or professional conduct matters. I have seen and heard the media coverage of abuse by clergy both in this diocese and beyond. I have read of the naivety of past church authorities and their seeming attempts to ‘cover up’.

In the face of all of this I have felt great sympathy, frustration and powerlessness. I struggle with, and feel profoundly sad about the effects of abuse within a church I love and to which I am very committed.

The staff of Zimmerman House understand these and many other feelings and reactions. They recognise the importance of providing a much needed forum for all those affected by abuse to discuss their feelings and reactions. They understand that an open and honest discussion of the reality of abuse and its impacts on all of us is an essential step in healing.

The diocese has established a toll free telephone support line which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I know that callers receive a compassionate and understanding response. The caller may be redirected to one of the staff at Zimmerman House or to an external support agency, or callers may simply be given an opportunity to express their feelings and be heard by someone who understands. I hope people will feel free to phone this number whenever they need someone to talk to about any aspect of abuse within the church.

Since its establishment in August 2005, staff in the unit have been working hard to make certain that the diocese has the required structures in place to ensure it is a safe environment for all. Among other tasks, it has been working to introduce more thorough prevention strategies, including training for individuals and groups within the diocese, and conducting research on abuse within the church. I have heard from some members of the diocesan community that the training is sometimes challenging and confronting but is very enlightening and offers important insights into a still quite poorly understood social reality. I hope you will take up the opportunity for training if you wish.

At the same time, staff have been working with individuals to attempt to redress some of the wrongs of the past. A number of survivors of abuse have been in touch with the staff of Zimmerman House and receive varying levels of support. One survivor spoke very powerfully recently about how much the support he has received has meant to him. I know, too, that Helen and the staff speak with conviction about what they have learnt from those with whom they work. They say they have learnt a lot about resilience. As patron, I am proud of this mutual relationship and its significant outcomes. Survivors are not merely accessing this service. They are actively building it. It was a survivor, for example, who suggested a fortnightly meditation group which now takes place at Zimmerman House.

The next phase in the development of Zimmerman House is a greater focus on the need for healing in our diocese, especially for those most directly affected by abuse but also for family, friends, parishioners and anyone who wishes to access what Zimmerman House hopes to offer.

Lyn Dowling and Benita Tait who run the Seasons for Growth program are now also based at Zimmerman House. Seasons is an educational program supporting those experiencing change, loss and grief in their lives. It seeks to build resilience and hope for the future by providing children and adults with ways to cope with significant life changes. Lyn and Benita are planning some new initiatives for 2008, including a “garden group”, which will provide an opportunity for adults who have participated in Seasons groups to visit Zimmerman House for informal support once a month.

The Zimmerman House staff are currently researching the use of what is known as “expressive therapies”, such as art therapy, narrative work, a Zimmerman House choir and a healing garden. The local Awabakal Indigenous community has generously offered us two beautiful names which say something about what Zimmerman House hopes to offer: Buduwa, meaning “to warm your hands in front of the fire while holding the hand of another” and Yuri Yula Panaal, meaning “the storm cloud, the rainbow and the sun”.

As patron of Zimmerman House, I am very aware that none of us has all the answers about what might bring about healing in ourselves or in others. We know that survivors never completely heal from abuse. Yet I am filled with hope for our future and gratitude to all who have been, and will be, part of our continuing healing journey. I will conclude by quoting from Towards Healing, the first step in the Australian Catholic Church’s response to abuse. Its principles guide the work of Zimmerman House:

“Abuse of children and adults by Church personnel has done great harm to individuals and to the whole Church. Despite this, it can become an opportunity to create a better Church, but only if the response given by the leaders and all members of the Church is humble, honest and thoroughly Christian.”

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