STANDING outside the Vatican, Chrissie Foster had just six words for Cardinal George Pell as he faced his accusers: "Be a man - tell the truth." Her daughters were abused by paedophile priest Kevin O'Donnell and for Ms Foster this was a moment she had both dreaded and longed for. 
"This is wonderful because it's completely turned around from what it was going to be - George Pell in a room in the Vatican on his own, to a public room with witnesses and the world media," she said.
Fifteen Australian survivors of clergy abuse and half a dozen supporters were in Rome for Pell's appearance.
Leading the group off the plane was David Ridsdale, abused by Father Gerald Ridsdale, a family friend of Cardinal Pell.
Andrew Collins, abused as a boy by four men in schools and churches, said he was glad he had made the trip, although it had been emotionally draining.
Former police inspector Peter Fox, who alleged church and police cover-ups of a paedophile priest offending in NSW's Hunter Valley, was also there to support the victims.
He insisted accusations from some quarters that Cardinal Pell was the victim of a witch hunt by abuse survivors "full of hate" was totally wrong."We want answers. We've got to know why this was allowed to happen and why it went on for so long and why someone didn't stop it," he said.