As a sibling of a victim of Father Cantwell (known to some as Father Bill), I have seen first hand the repercussions for the victim and the way it can lead them on a path of destruction.

And not to mention the effects on the family when the abuse comes to light in my family’s case many decades later.

I am now a resident of Dungog but the assaults on my sister occurred while Father Cantwell was a priest in the Mayfield Parish.

This devious deviate was a guest in our home for many an evening meal and unbeknown to us he was abusing my sister.

I know this man is now dead but those left behind are still suffering.

I find it hard to believe that in the nine years Father Cantwell was the parish priest in Dungog no one was abused by him.

I have noticed that until victims speak up they feel that they are the only one, but importantly acknowledging the abuse is liberating.

To find that St Joseph’s Primary School Dungog has been giving an award for integrity in this man’s name is unbelievable.

The response by the school to change the name is most commendable, but the pathetic response by the Catholic Education Department is no surprise.

The typical Catholic hierachy response to anything adverse is to shove their collective heads in the sand and hope it goes away, deny everything and let someone else do “the heavy lifting”.

To say the person in whose name the award is given has nothing to do with the award is nonsense.

It is about as nonsensical as the Prince Charles award for Badger Baiting.

It is essential that the Royal Commission brings to justice the abusers and those that covered up the serial abuse and moved these paedophiles allowing them to continue wreaking havoc on the lives of innocent young children  

A quote from a book “Church of Lies” (not the Catholic Church) by Flora Jessop is most apt:

“To those who abuse: The sin is yours, the crime is yours  and  the shame is yours. To those who protect the perpetrators: Blaming the victims only masks the evil within, making you as guilty as those who abuse, stand up for the innocent or go down with the rest.” 

It is most important that all victims contact the Royal Commission Call Centre on 1800 099 340.