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Musician aims to inspire Catholic abuse survivors with song ‘99 Candles in Ballarat’
By Kathryn Powley
Herald Sun
October 23, 2016
https://goo.gl/UtII3P
[with video]
A MELBOURNE-based musician has released a stirring song to inspire and celebrate survivors of child sexual abuse in the Catholic education system.
Ian Whitehead’s “99 Candles in Ballarat” is dedicated to the brave survivors, their victims and families.
The song also pays tribute to those who suffered abuse and committed suicide.
Mr Whitehead, who was himself abused in a Catholic school, gave evidence to the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse in a closed session in Ballarat.
“The song is a creative vehicle to up the awareness and to encourage survivors to come forward,” he said.
During royal commission hearings into abuse in Ballarat, Cardinal George Pell gave evidence from Rome emphatically denying knowledge of offending by notorious paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale, despite it being known by fellow priests, his bishop, a school principal, a doctor, a policeman and parents.
And Ballarat bishop Ronald Mulkearns, now deceased, apologised for his handling of sexual abuse by priests, saying he had failed in his role.
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