News (Media Awareness Project) - Australia: Church Haven For Junkies Forced To Shut |
| Title: | Australia: Church Haven For Junkies Forced To Shut |
| Published On: | 2000-09-26 |
| Source: | West Australian (Australia) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-03 07:36:47 |
CHURCH HAVEN FOR JUNKIES FORCED TO SHUT
A church-run house of hope for poor people, prostitutes and drug addicts has been shut down by the Town of Vincent.
Catholic Archbishop Barry Hickey has called for the council to allow St Joseph's House, on Stirling Street, to continue to operate while concerns are resolved.
The Holy Spirit of Freedom Community, a Catholic Church community, has for the past three years run the house to care for poor young people, particularly drug addicts and prostitutes, who frequent the area.
On September 12, the council rejected the group's application to have the house rezoned for use as a residential building, chapel and occasional outreach and drop-in centre after it was found to be operating without the appropriate development approval.
A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said pimps and prostitutes frequented the house to hide from police.
The neighbour said it was difficult to run a business when unsavoury characters such as those drawn to the house hung around the area. She applauded the council's decision to close it.
Another neighbour said he had seen pimps and prostitutes carrying out business on the verandah of the house.
Det-Sgt Steve Da Ra said police did not have any real concerns with the goings on at the house except that some women seen acting suspiciously in the area had entered it.
In a letter to the council, Archbishop Hickey said those who operated the centre were volunteers with a genuine love for the poor.
"If the complaint is made that drug users and prostitutes frequent the building, then the accusation is true," he wrote.
"It is precisely for such people the centre is operating.
"If the accusation is made that such people are simply avoiding police, we know of no evidence to substantiate the charge." The community's founder, Deacon Frank Feain, said the group was considering its options for reopening the house.
It would continue talks with the council but if unsuccessful would consider lodging a planning appeal.He said one woman who frequented the house when distressed had died of a drug overdose since it closed on Wednesday.
Vincent mayor John Hyde would not comment on the matter.
A church-run house of hope for poor people, prostitutes and drug addicts has been shut down by the Town of Vincent.
Catholic Archbishop Barry Hickey has called for the council to allow St Joseph's House, on Stirling Street, to continue to operate while concerns are resolved.
The Holy Spirit of Freedom Community, a Catholic Church community, has for the past three years run the house to care for poor young people, particularly drug addicts and prostitutes, who frequent the area.
On September 12, the council rejected the group's application to have the house rezoned for use as a residential building, chapel and occasional outreach and drop-in centre after it was found to be operating without the appropriate development approval.
A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said pimps and prostitutes frequented the house to hide from police.
The neighbour said it was difficult to run a business when unsavoury characters such as those drawn to the house hung around the area. She applauded the council's decision to close it.
Another neighbour said he had seen pimps and prostitutes carrying out business on the verandah of the house.
Det-Sgt Steve Da Ra said police did not have any real concerns with the goings on at the house except that some women seen acting suspiciously in the area had entered it.
In a letter to the council, Archbishop Hickey said those who operated the centre were volunteers with a genuine love for the poor.
"If the complaint is made that drug users and prostitutes frequent the building, then the accusation is true," he wrote.
"It is precisely for such people the centre is operating.
"If the accusation is made that such people are simply avoiding police, we know of no evidence to substantiate the charge." The community's founder, Deacon Frank Feain, said the group was considering its options for reopening the house.
It would continue talks with the council but if unsuccessful would consider lodging a planning appeal.He said one woman who frequented the house when distressed had died of a drug overdose since it closed on Wednesday.
Vincent mayor John Hyde would not comment on the matter.
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