Crucial Meeting with Accused Paedophile Priest to Go under Microscope

By Leesha McKenny
Stock & Land
July 23, 2012

sl.farmonline.com.au/news/metro/national/general/crucial-meeting-with-accused-paedophile-priest-to-go-under-microscope/2615315.aspx

A meeting between three senior clergy and alleged paedophile priest Father F will be examined by a Catholic Church inquiry, according to its terms of reference released today.

The church-commissioned inquiry, headed by former Federal Court judge Antony Whitlam QC, will examine whether the church acted appropriately when managing allegations made about the former priest.

Father F, who cannot be named for legal reasons, stands accused of repeatedly sexually abusing altar boys while based in the Armidale diocese from the early 1980s and after he was later transferred to Parramatta.

He was removed from public ministry in 1992 following a meeting with three senior clergy, prompted by repeated complaints of sexual abuse.

The three men have since given conflicting accounts of Father F's admissions at that meeting and why he was not reported to police.

That meeting, and the sequence of events leading to Father F's termination of ministry, were to be examined by the inquiry, a joint statement from Bishop of Armidale, Michael Kennedy, and Bishop of Parramatta, Anthony Fisher, said.

It would also consider the history of Father F's appointments, ministry and activities within the two diocese; the processes that led to his transfer to Parramatta; and the treatment of complaints made against him.

The inquiry, which would not take the form of public hearings, would begin immediately. "And at its conclusions a report will be made available for public access," the statement said.

"Bishop Kennedy and Bishop Fisher are committed to ensuring that victims of abuse and their families receive justice and are treated with compassion and respect. Once again, the Bishops encourage victims to contact the police."

A NSW police strike force has been formed to investigate the allegations against Father F, who was defrocked in 2005 and lives in Armidale.

A police spokeswoman would not say last week if the strike force would consider if the three priests broke the law under section 316 of the NSW Crimes Act by failing to report Father F to police.

Bishop Fisher told congregations at the weekend that the church would co-operate with police "to ensure that any criminal conduct is investigated and dealt with appropriately".

But he also called on parishioners to support their clergy during these "times of soul-searching for all Catholics".

"I urge you, my dear people, to love and to support your priests, the vast majority of whom are dedicated men, loyal to their mission as priests, and do not deserve to be tarnished by association with the perpetrators of these crimes," he said.