AN INDEPENDENT inquiry into dozens of suicides among victims of child sexual abuse by Catholic priests and brothers in Victoria would achieve little, a Catholic bishop says.

Police investigating the case of convicted paedophile Brother Robert Best believe at least 26 victims of sexual abuse at schools in which he taught have committed suicide. One of the investigating officers wants a parliamentary inquiry to investigate the deaths.

Robert Best

''If it helps the victims I'd be more than happy for it to go ahead,'' Bishop of Ballarat Peter Connors said.

''I don't think they'll learn very much more … I'm convinced we've done the best we can in more recent years.''