Bishops Announce Inquiry into 'Father F'

SBS
July 17, 2012

www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1669744/Bishops-announce-inquiry-into-Father-F

A former judge will lead an inquiry commissioned by two NSW Catholic dioceses into the management of an ex-priest at the centre of sexual abuse claims.

A former Federal Court judge will head an inquiry into how the Catholic Church handled allegations that a former NSW priest sexually abused children.

Antony Whitlam QC will examine claims a priest, known only as "Father F", admitted to three senior priests in Sydney in 1992 that he sexually abused young altar boys, but was not sacked by the Church until 2005.

The inquiry, jointly commissioned by Armidale Bishop Michael Kennedy and Parramatta Bishop Anthony Fisher, follows an ABC report earlier this month that revealed the allegations.

In a joint statement on Tuesday, the Parramatta and Armidale dioceses confirmed that Father F had spent "a period of time" under their jurisdiction.

"The Bishops extend their deepest sympathies to victims of child abuse and their families, and reassure the community of their commitment to see justice achieved," the statement said.

"This inquiry is not intended to supplant or replace any investigations that the police or other appropriate authorities may intend to undertake."

Cardinal George Pell, the head of the Sydney Archdiocese and the most senior Catholic clergyman in Australia, says priests under his direction will cooperate fully with the inquiry.

These include two senior priests who were present at the 1992 meeting, Father Brian Lucas and Monsignor John Usher.

In a statement on Tuesday, Cardinal Pell said he had not been aware of that meeting until he had been contacted by the ABC.

"I sought details and Monsignor Usher informed me, after contacting Father Lucas and (the third priest present at the 1992 meeting) Monsignor (Wayne) Peters, that the recollection of the three priests was that no admissions of actual criminal conduct were made at that meeting.

"The task now is to let Mr Whitlam get on with his inquiry."