Catholic Church in Adelaide, Australia Denies It Covered up Newest Abuse Claim, God Discussion, September 26, 2011

Catholic Church in Adelaide, Australia Denies It Covered up Newest Abuse Claim

God Discussion
September 26, 2011

http://www.goddiscussion.com/80573/catholic-church-in-adelaide-australia-denies-it-covered-up-newest-abuse-claim/

Like a nightmare that is never ending, the Catholic Church is once again finding itself on the defensive, this time amidst claims that it covered up a police investigation of abuse to developmentally disabled children in a school in Adelaide. The Australian reports:

The allegations were aired last night on the ABC's Four Corners program, which used documents dating back 20 years to reveal the church received legal advice telling it to avoid mentioning in writing charges of sexual abuse against a volunteer bus driver at St Ann's Special School in Adelaide.

This kept the allegations from the public, and no attempt was made by the school or the Catholic Education Office to pursue the police inquiry into the bus driver, Brian Perkins, which stalled.

A church spokeswoman told The Australian last night the program was based on old material that was no longer relevant as the church had moved forward in its policies and procedures, including setting up preventive measures that were rigorously enforced.

"The management practices of the late 1980s and early 90s are not those of today, and there has been significant progress in dealing with this complex and painful issue," the spokeswoman said.

"(Adelaide) Archbishop Philip Wilson's response in 2002 when he learned of the appalling abuse at St Ann's was to immediately write to the police commissioner to request the extradition of Brian Perkins from Queensland.

"He adopted a generous and compassionate approach through the provision of ex-gratia payments, which was highly commended at the time."

While the Church denies that there was a cover-up, in 2002 parents met with Monsignor David Cappo, wanting an inquiry. He would not allow the parents' input, and made a "sudden exit."

Archbishop Wilson and Monsignor Cappo also "face a separate accusation of failing to resolve a complaint by Archbishop John Hepworth of clerical sexual abuse. Archbishop Wilson and Monsignor Cappo, who has quit as Julia Gillard's mental health reform adviser, deny the accusation."