MOST of Melbourne's Catholic clergy and parishioners would support a government inquiry into how the church has dealt with victims of sexual abuse, according to a senior priest.Father Kevin Dillon, of St Mary of the Angels in Geelong, believes about 70 per cent would now favour an inquiry in the wake of recent widespread publicity given to victims' stories.
While conceding he had not talked to every priest - ''nobody could'' - Father Dillon, a long-time advocate for victims of abuse, said: ''Most ordinary priests are just overwhelmed by the fact that this is continuing. They feel terribly for the families. Initially they thought 'why should the government be interfering with church things'. But I think more and more it's becoming obvious that the church has had ample opportunity to deal with the plight of victims in a much more considered way.''
The Age last week revealed police reports detailing the suicides of at least 40 people sexually abused by Catholic clergy in Victoria, and arguing for a wide-ranging inquiry.
Father Dillon said Catholics were ''just appalled at everything that's been happening in their name and in their church … I know from the people who came up to me after [Mass last weekend] that 70, even as high as 80 per cent of ordinary Catholics are feeling the same way''.
He said he did not agree with Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart when he said last week he did not believe the church's behaviour had contributed to suicides, while conceding that ''there have been some failures''.
Father Dillon said: ''Where there is a common link between people priests have done this against and those who have taken their own lives, when we know that there's so much depression and alcohol (abuse) and God knows what else that flows on from this, to not accept that priests have a significant degree of responsibility for what has happened to these people is astonishing. My key focus is to make sure that those people who we know have been abused are supported as much as is possible. And, while it may be well meaning, I think it's an area where we … are continuing to fail them.''
His comments came as victims advocate Nicky Davis lashed out at Archbishop Hart, accusing him of appointing himself as a victims' spokesman.
''It's outrageous, how dare he? His comments are designed to drown the voices of real victims,'' said Ms Davis, herself a former victim.
''It's outrageous, how dare he? His comments are designed to drown the voices of real victims,'' said Ms Davis, herself a former victim.
Archbishop Hart has posted a statement on the church website saying Detective Sergeant Kevin Carson's report on suicides by victims should have been given to the coroner, not leaked to the media. He said all crime should be investigated by police, and that the church advised victims to go to police.
Deputy Commissioner Graham Ashton said on Friday that, despite repeated requests, the church was not alerting police to clergy abuse.
''I can't think of a single referral we've had from the Catholic Church in the last couple of years,'' he said.
A state government spokesman said yesterday the calls for an inquiry were being given ''close consideration''.