Doubts Raised about Independence of Church Inquiry

By Lindy Kerin
ABC - Am
July 5, 2012

http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2012/s3539206.htm

[with audio]

TONY EASTLEY: The Archbishop of Armidale has announced an independent investigation will be held into sex abuse allegations against a Catholic priest.

The priest, known for legal reasons as Father F, allegedly abused a number of altar boys at the Moree and Parramatta parishes in the 1980s and 1990s.

Armidale Bishop Michael Kennedy says he's deeply disturbed by the report.

The families of some of Father F's alleged victims say the investigation is a case of too little, too late.

Lindy Kerin reports.

LINDY KERIN: Deeply disturbed and demanding answers. In a statement released last night, the Catholic Bishop of Armidale Michael Kennedy announced a full investigation into the case of Father F.

He said:

EXTRACT FROM STATEMENT FROM MICHAEL KENNEDY: Although these matters occurred many years ago, and well before my recent appointment as Bishop, I intend to arrange for a full investigation into certain matters raised in the reports. I am in the process of appointing an independent expert to review all available records and to report back to me.

LINDY KERIN: Father Kennedy has extended his deepest sympathies to the families affected.

But for Claire Jurd it's too little too late. Her son Damian claimed he was abused by Father F in the 1980s. She says he was haunted by what happened until he died at 28.

CLAIRE JURD: Well I appreciate the fact that he's sympathising with us but it should have been done a long time ago.

LINDY KERIN: Andrew Morrison is from the Australian Lawyers Alliance and a senior counsel who's represented Church abuse victims.

He says he has no confidence in the investigation launched by Bishop Kennedy.

ANDREW MORRISON: Sadly, independent investigations have shown themselves to be less independent than any objective observer would wish.

The Church has shown a singular incapacity to internally investigate and deal adequately with very serious allegations. And this is an investigation into the Church's failure to investigate, so what confidence could anyone have that it will be done properly?

LINDY KERIN: The investigation will look at whether three senior priests who met with Father F in 1992 to discuss the allegations of abuse failed to report to police.

Andrew Morrison again:

ANDREW MORRISON: I'm not comfortable that this investigation will deal with any of those matters. Nor am I comfortable that the investigation by the Bishop of Armidale's appointed assessor, however well intentioned that person might be, will have the capacity to resolve a very distinct difference between three senior members of the clergy as to what occurred on that date. These are matters which ought to be properly investigated by police.

LINDY KERIN: The Archdiocese of Sydney issued another statement last night rejecting allegations of a cover up.

It says Father Brian Lucas and Father John Usher stand by their claim that Father F made no admissions in the 1992 meeting and that neither of them knew about the document prepared by the third priest Father Peters, which lists Father F's confessions about sex acts with young boys.

Claire Jurd says she's pleased the investigation will be independent and she's hoping to finally see some justice.

CLAIRE JURD: I'd like Father F or anyone else that's covered up what he's done or been doing, I'd like to see them punished in some way and have them suffer a little bit. They've been living their lives the way they've always done and not acknowledged what's happening in the outside world to other people.

TONY EASTLEY: Claire Jurd whose son was allegedly abused by Father F ending that report from Lindy Kerin.

A spokeswoman for the NSW police says in order to investigate allegations of child sexual assault, police need victims to come forward.