The independent inquiry into child sexual abuse will this week focus on the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

It's been chosen due to "the disparate nature of the Catholic Church and its lack of structure, line management or ability to oversee child protection within its ranks".

The church says it "supports the aim of strengthening and improving safeguarding practices and cultures within the Church"

READ MORE: The Independent Inquiry turns its attention to Birmingham and timetable for the hearing.

A representative of survivors who were abused by a Roman Catholic Priest in the Archdiocese of Birmingham claimed today "the Catholic Church sees itself as above the law."

Mr Greenwood's clients were abused by former priest James Robinson. He was convicted in 2010 of 21 charges of sexual abuse and was sentenced to 21 years in prison.

James Robinson is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence Credit: ITV Central News

It has laughed at the rest of us mere mortals for decades. It has covered up, it has used lawyers and its recruits in state organisations to protect itself from disgrace. David Greenwood, representing survivors of abuse

Samuel Penney was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison in 1993 after he admitted indecently assaulting seven children.

On day one of the inquiry, a survivor of the Penney's abuse says that he almost gave in to the pressure of one Catholic Priest.

Samuel Penney was sentenced to seven-and-a-half-years in prison in 1993. Credit: ITV Central News

At one point I almost gave in because the pressure he was giving to ask me to get into bed and the convincing argument he was saying to get me into bed with him was so constant and so clever that I can fully understand how people became victims and got into bed with him. Abuse survivor

The inquiry will last five days and will hear from representatives from the Catholic church as well abuse survivors and alleged victims.

They will include Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham. Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, who was Archbishop of Birmingham between 2000 and 2009, was due to give evidence at the hearing tomorrow, but due to ill health he is unable to do so.

His appearance will be confirmed at a later date.