Welsh women have no reputation for being shrinking violets and the young
lass who emigrated from the Vale of Glamorgan in 1966 to become Prime
Minister of Australia has just announced a national inquiry into
institutional responses to the sexual abuse of children.

This was triggered by a statement from Detective Chief Inspector Peter
Fox of the New South Wales police force, who accused the Roman Catholic
Church of trying to silence investigations into allegations of abuse.

Chief Inspector Fox, who had investigated several cases of sexual
assault over 35 years, had called for a Royal Commission in an open letter.

"I can testify from my own experience that the church covers up,
silences victims, hinders police investigations, alerts offenders,
destroys evidence and moves priests to protect the good name of the
church," he wrote.

The leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott said he would support a
wide-ranging commission, but said the investigation should not focus
solely on the Catholic Church.

I think Senator Nick Xenophon, a Liberal Senator from South Australia,
would be an ideal member of the Royal Commission.

He is very knowledgeable about another religious organization which
mistreats children.

The Top 25 People Crippling Scientology - #11: Nick Xenophon

http://tinyurl.com/3gbqsym

Andrew

On 12/11/2012 11:27 p.m., Andrew Robertson wrote:

<snip>

Just to repeat Chief Inspector Fox's comment regarding the Catholic Church:

"...the church covers up, silences victims, hinders police
investigations, alerts offenders, destroys evidence and moves priests to
protect the good name of the church,"

and juxtapose it with "The Church of Scientology is compatible with all
other religions" the lying boast the organization often makes.  Well,
perhaps the Church of the Immaculate Thetan sometimes is compatible with
some other religions!

More from BBC News Online here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20293601

Andrew

On 11/12/2012 4:54:37 AM, Andrew Robertson wrote:

I wonder if this could mean that authorities might re-examine Jan Eastgate's
shockingly fumbled prosecution?

One can only hope.

Addendum

 From the Sydney Morning Herald:

'Child abuse inquiry reaches wide'

http://tinyurl.com/ahrzxne

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has announced a sweeping royal commission
into child sex abuse that will probe organisations ranging from the
Catholic Church and state authorities to the boy scouts and sports groups.

The inquiry into institutional responses to abuse will not just look at
perpetrators. It will also cover those who were ''complicit'' - for
example, in alleged offenders being moved around - or who by ''averting
their eyes'' committed acts of omission. It will also look at how police
have responded to the problem.

No doubt Jan Eastgate will be available to give evidence to the Royal
Commission.

Andrew