AUSTRALIA
Newcastle Herald
By IAN KIRKWOOD
Nov. 13, 2012
“BUT whoever shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” – Matthew 18:6
This is the New Testament verse that Salt Ash man Rob Lipari turned to as he contemplated the news that Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced a royal commission on child sexual abuse in the church.
Mr Lipari, who was abused as a boy in the late 1970s, welcomed the federal inquiry but warned that its terms of reference must take historical matters into account.
This sentiment was shared by others who spoke with the Newcastle Herald last night.
The Herald sought comment from the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle but a spokeswoman said the only statement yesterday would be coming from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
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