AUSTRALIA
ABC News – AM
[with audio]
Updated April 05, 2012
A group representing victims of church sexual abuse is asking Catholic priests to read a letter from the pulpit over Easter calling for an independent inquiry into abuse allegations. COIN’s (Commission of Inquiry Now) letter mimicks the Melbourne Archdiocese’ move last weekend to send anti gay-marriage letters to 80,000 parishioners.
TONY EASTLEY: It’s a cheeky move but serious all the same. A group representing victims of church sexual abuse is asking Catholic priests to read a letter from the pulpit over Easter calling for an independent inquiry into abuse allegations.
Mimicking the Melbourne Archdiocese move to send anti gay-marriage letters to 80,000 parishioners last week, the group known as COIN has sent its own message.
Alison Caldwell reports.
ALISON CALDWELL: Written by a group representing victims of church sex abuse the letter asks parishioners to lobby the Catholic Church to support an independent inquiry into the handling of their complaints.
BRYAN KEON-COHEN: Some people consider my initiative a little cheeky. Well, so be it if it enables Catholic priests or their congregations to consider the facts and attempt to reform the Church from outside since it seems incapable of reforming itself adequately from inside.
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