Tasmania Anglican church sales to help 'make amends' for abuse

[New World Explorer]

Religious organisations have grappled with how they will fund compensation for survivors of child sexual abuse.

In Tasmania, Anglican leaders say property sales will play a key part.

They plan to sell 108 properties, including more than half of the state's Anglican churches - 78 in total - to raise an estimated A$20m (£11.4m; $15.2m).

Of that sum, about A$5m will go to people who suffered abuse by church figures.

The compensation will form part of a national scheme, led by the Australian government, following a five-year inquiry into abuse in religious and non-religious institutions.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-44351159

[Thomas Walker]

There are one or two places that the Anglican congregations are trying to save, holding fundraisers to keep them from closing.

 

There was a story a month or two back, which talked about how the Churches dramatically undervalued their properties and resources during the Royal Commission into Child Abuse; so that when they were ordered to pay; they'd be able to say they didn't have the cash.

 

So, you can imagine, there's a strong feeling that the Anglican Church is selling off properties that they can barely afford to keep maintained anymore. The waters have been drying up a fair bit.