A leading lawyer has defended the Catholic Church's right to hold a traditional mass for judges and lawyers in Melbourne, despite protesters saying it should be scrapped.

Key points: The "Red Mass" tradition for the legal fraternity dates back to the 13th century

The "Red Mass" tradition for the legal fraternity dates back to the 13th century Protesters have called for lawyers and judges to not attend anymore

Protesters have called for lawyers and judges to not attend anymore The Melbourne Archdiocese says all are welcome

The Archdiocese of Melbourne hosted its annual "Red Mass" this week after the Victorian Bar Association promoted the event.

It was well attended by senior judges wearing their robes and wigs.

After the service and blessings, the judiciary, members of the legal profession, staff and their families were invited to join Archbishop Peter Comensoli to stay for morning tea in the presbytery.

Representatives of the legal sector enter St Patrick's for the Red Mass this week. ( ABC News )

Child sexual abuse survivors' advocate Chrissie Foster was among a group of people involved in a silent protest outside.

She was holding sign that read "crime scene", in reference to the venue, St Patrick's Cathedral, where convicted Cardinal George Pell abused two choirboys in 1996.

Chrissie Foster is a leading voice for abuse survivors. ( Supplied )

Cardinal Pell is appealing against his conviction in the High Court.

Ms Foster had previously asked legal professionals to think about staying away.

"What is the purpose of the Red Mass get-together with the judiciary? Why is it necessary?" she wrote in The Australian.

"Does the Catholic hierarchy hold a Red Mass for housewives? Or apprentices? Or unmarried mothers? Or students? Or doctors?

"Victims of clerical abuse need to know the judiciary is impartial.

"Perhaps judges, magistrates, tribunal members, judicial registrars, court officials and barristers should reconsider attending this event."

Protesters gathered at the gates as lawyers and judges arrived. ( Supplied )

'Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater'

Senior lawyer and media commentator David Whiting told the ABC the tradition — which dates back to the 13th century — was a "positive thing".

Mr Whiting conceded priests had committed crimes against children and said this should not be ignored.

"My view is that the Catholic Church has stuffed up badly on a lot of levels," he said.

"It has hidden priests who have done horrible things. It's been, in my view, terribly slowly brought to account, but it doesn't mean that it has no value."

"The church and the state are separate, but logically they need to work together."

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 3 minutes 52 seconds 3 m 52 s David Whiting says the Red Mass isn't a negative tradition

Mr Whiting said it was up to the judgement of individuals whether they should attend the Red Mass.

"If you are a judge, or a magistrate or you hold a position in the law, and you think that going to a service like that indicates that you are showing a bias or it's inappropriate for you to attend, then you simply don't attend," he said.

"I think that the concept of a blessing by the church as to the people in judiciary and in the legal system and the performance of justice is, in fact, quite a positive thing. I don't see it as a negative thing.

"We have this overwhelming desire to throw out the baby with the bath water. The Catholic Church does a great deal of good."

This was Archbishop Comensoli's first Red Mass. ( ABC News: Danielle Bonica )

Ms Foster responded to Mr Whiting's comments, saying he could have chosen different words.

"As a lawyer, he must have many words he could use to properly describe the crimes which thousands of Australian children have suffered," she said.

"If it were his own child or grandchild who had been orally raped repeatedly over months or years would he still be describing the crime and the situation a 'stuff-up'?"

Ms Foster's daughters were victims of Father Kevin O'Donnell, who was known within the church to be an abuser as early as the 1950s.

He remained as a senior priest until he was retired with honours in the 1990s, thereafter jailed for his crimes.

"I hope all those who attended the Red Mass think long and hard about the realities of what the 'stuff-up' entails, including the aftereffects of such rapes which ruin lives often to the point of suicide," Mr Foster said.

Protesters also pointed out the host of the Red Mass, Archbishop Comensoli, last year spoke out against changes to mandatory reporting laws that took away priests' exemptions on religious grounds.

He told ABC Melbourne he would rather go to jail than report admissions of child sexual abuse made in the confessional.

Archbishop Comensoli spoke with protesters at the Red Mass. ( ABC News: Dylan Anderson )

A spokesperson for Archbishop Comensoli said the Red Mass was a public event that anyone could attend, and the Archbishop's comments were on the record and did not require further comment.

"The legal fraternity that gathers is not specifically Catholic, and come from all areas of the law, and may include those supporting and representing survivors," the spokesperson said.

"The Archbishop has met Mrs Foster a number of times and welcomed the opportunity to meet again [on Tuesday] at the beginning and end of the Mass.

"Archbishop Peter also spoke personally with a number of those involved in the silent protest."

Paul Kennedy co-authored the book Hell On The Way To Heaven with Chrissie Foster.

Editor's note: On Tuesday April 7, 2020, the High Court in a unanimous decision upheld Cardinal Pell's appeal and quashed his convictions on all five charges.