These victims are standing up for themselves, those victims who are already deceased, and those victims who still suffer the horrific abuse in silence. As a community we should be supporting these victims. The courier on behalf of Ballarat should organise a petition calling for this inquiry. Its not about religion or politics, its about justice for the victims. This is our community, they we're our children, they are now our survivors. Speak up people and don't let these victims feel as though their on their own anymore!!! To do nothing makes us just as culpable.

These victims are to be commended for pushing for a parliamentary inquiry into Christian Brother Robert Charles Best and other Catholic priests and brothers sexual misconduct.

The only sure way to help victim heal, and to protect kids today, is for outside law enforcement to get involved to investigate these allegations and hold those accountable for their crimes.

Australia victims, don't give up, Keep speaking up, and telling your truth.

Judy Jones, SNAP, USA

snapjudy at gmail dot com

"Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests"

snapnetwork dot

The Anglican Church in Queensland needs to clean up its act and investigate the stories of victims of Choirmasters in St John's Cathedral. I am one victim, and know of many others. The perpetrator in my case was known about in the 1950s. He is still free to abuse, and has never been charged. No wonder I have felt suicidal many times.

Call for all the enquiries in every which way. The Catholic church has already given its' answer. It was all due to Woodstock and the permissive sixties for confusing these "celibate" priests over their sexual predations with minors. Then there was always counseling, confession where they could be constantly forgiven, removal from the place of temptation and the stern rejoinder " Go forth and sin no more" ; at least until the next opportunity.

As Advocates for the abused, we too call for a parliamentary inquiry as we have a whole community that has been destroyed by the actions and cover-ups of so many involved in this. We also call on the Courier to get onboard and help the community in it's fight to gain these answers that are so long overdue. We will not be giving up or going away when it comes to calling for the secrecy & shame of all this abuse to be bought to the attention of all. The victims/survivors deserve answers & they deserve it without becoming another statistic of tragedy.

Well done to the Victoria Police member (s) who have tirelessly pursued this investigation. These investigations are very difficult, with many barriers to conquer before they get to a court conviction. Emotions run high as there is a lot of collatoral damage along the way. Congratulations and I trust that your efforts are recognised.

When one considers what former detective Denis Ryan was put through when dealing with other Ballarat diocese abuses, how times have changed.

Detective Sergant Keven Carson has been successfully pushing his way through the churches maze for years and somehow has been able to avoid any personal fallout, to finally arrive at this point.

A job well done, and a further appreciation of what his counterpart had to go through.

That Bishop Connors is open to any prospect of an inquirey in the Ballarat Diocese in paricular, what else could he say, that he's soon to be retiring I expect.

We strongly urge

--governmental bodies to consider launching investigations,

--law enforcement officials to study investigative reports conducted by others (looking for any possible charges that might be pursued against any possible wrongdoers),

--Catholic officials to avoid excuse-making, finger-pointing and minimizing, and

--every single person who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes to contact police and prosecutors so that kids will be better protected, victims will be better healed and the long-buried truth will be better understood.SNAPspaner at gmail dot com.

These men sure have a lot to answer for, I find it hard to believe, that any grown man can abuse young children like that. But, of course they did. I do not understand why these children did not go to the Police at the time.

It has never been right for any child to be molested surely. Why did they not speak out then, or even 10yrs later, why only in the last few yrs?

I know it does not make it right, and I'm so sad for them. The Churches these men belonged to do need to be investigated & held accountable. This is not the Christian way of life.

Emmie, no one has answered your question as yet, so I will make a contribution and hopefully others will follow.

No one would believe them, even mother's today have spoken out in grief for same.

Then there's the guilt, blamed for what has been done to them, and too, for those who ask the same question as you.