AUSTRALIA
ABC News
At a rally in Newcastle more than 300 people have supported calls for a Royal Commission into the Catholic Church’s handling of clergy abuse.
The rally at Newcastle Panthers club heard from abuse victims and their families, Greens MP David Shoebridge, Independent Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper and President of the Australian Lawyers Alliance, Andrew Morrison.
The meeting heard how clergy abuse over the decades has lead to suicides, alcohol and drug abuse, divorce and shattered relationships.
So far Premier Barry O’Farrell has refused to support calls for a Royal Commission, saying it would hinder police investigations.
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