Bishop Announces Sex Abuse Investigation

ABC News
July 4, 2012

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-04/bishop-of-armidale-announces-abuse-probe/4110430?section=nsw

[with video]

The Catholic Bishop of Armidale says he will fully investigate child sexual abuse matters raised by the Fours Corners program on ABC TV this week.

In a statement, Bishop Michael Kennedy says he is in the process of appointing an independent expert to review all available records relating to a man identified in the program as Father F.

Bishop Kennedy's Armidale diocese includes Moree, one of the places Father F is accused of abusing alter boys.

On Monday, Four Corners alleged three senior priests covered up Father F's abuse of altar boys in the 1980s.

Australia's most senior Catholic, Cardinal George Pell, originally defended the three senior priests: Father Brian Lucas, Father John Usher and Father Wayne Peters.

Two of the priests are accused of turning a blind eye to the sexual abuse of children in Moree and Parramatta and deny they ever heard Father F admit his guilt.

But an internal document prepared at the time by the third priest goes as far as listing the sex acts involved.

Since Four Corners went to air, the Archdiocese of Sydney has also announced an investigation of the claims.

The ABC has attempted to contact Father Lucas, who is now the general secretary of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, but he is in the United States and is unavailable.

Attempts have also been made to talk to Father Usher and Father Peters, but none of the ABC's calls have been returned.

A spokeswoman for NSW Police says detectives will review the Four Corners story.

She has urged any alleged victims or anyone with information to contact their nearest police station.