AUSTRALIA
Newcastle Herald
A PLANE flying over Lower Hunter skies yesterday towing a banner saying ‘‘Royal Commission now’’ spoke volumes for victims of Catholic paedophile priests.
The plane was organised by Anthony Stevens, a brother-in-law of the late John Pirona who committed suicide after saying he could no longer deal with the painful memories inflicted by priests who abused him as a child.
Mr Stevens said he wanted to send a message about the church’s refusal to recognise its wrongs, despite Premier Barry O’Farrell announcing a special inquiry into the matter on Friday.
Other church child sexual abuse victims yesterday agreed they wanted the investigation broadened into a royal commission.
Clergy Abuse Network co-founder Bob O’Toole, Salt Ash man Rob Lipari and ‘‘Susan’’, a victim of serial paedophile priest Denis McAlinden, all said the inquiry announced on Friday was a good start, but nowhere near enough to deal with a massive problem.
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