Keen for the work of Parish Recovery Teams (PRT) to continue within the Sydney Diocese, the Safe Ministry Board is looking for up to 15 volunteers to provide a new team to be trained and operate for the next four years.
Speaking to Southern Cross the director of Professional Standards, Glenn Murray, noted the excellent work undertaken by PRT volunteers in the past four years in 10 parishes across the Sydney Diocese.
Mr Murray said: "These volunteers usually working in teams of two or three, seek to assist the parish, its staff and congregation members, in a supportive and encouraging way, to work through the loss and grief that occurs when a loss of trust occurs in a parish between some of its staff or members."
Noting that these volunteers are not required to work with complainants or respondents nor provide counselling, Mr Murray said, "Working with a small local group from the parish, who are in touch with the various sections and congregations inside the parish, a Parish Recovery Team is able to guide and pastorally support a considered and careful healing.
"This healing provides the basis for the parish to return to active and focused Christian health and helps the parish to avoid the pitfalls of stagnation and confusion that often occur when child abuse or sexual immorality occur within congregations."
