Bishop Backs Inquiry into Sex Abuse

By Will Ockenden
ABC News
July 27, 2012

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-27/bishop-backs-inquiry-into-sex-abuse/4158976


A senior member of Australia's Catholic Church says he would support a public inquiry into the church's handling of sexual assaults by priests.

The Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, Bill Wright, says it is up to governments to work out which issues need investigating.

Over the past 50 years the Hunter Valley has seen scores of people reporting cases of sexual assault by priests.

One Catholic priest was convicted and jailed several years ago after sexually abusing 39 schoolboys aged from five to 16 years old over nearly 20 years.

Bishop Wright released a statement on his view on how sexual assault should be investigated.

"There have been growing calls for a royal commission into the church's handling of sexual assault matters. I am broadly supportive of public inquiries into these matters," he said.

David Shoebridge, a Greens member of the New South Wales Upper House, says abuse and cover-ups have gone on long enough.

"Having a bishop come out and make a statement in support of an independent inquiry is an historic step here for the church in Australia," he said.

"We need the church to accept responsibility. They will only do that after an independent inquiry really gets to the bottom of matters."

In Victoria, a parliamentary inquiry is being held into criminal sexual abuse of children by religious or other organisations.

It was announced after it was revealed at least 40 victims of sexual abuse had committed suicide.

In New South Wales, the Catholic Church is holding its own internal investigation into claims broadcast on ABC's Four Corners program.

The program alleged a priest known as Father F had told three priests in 1992 he molested boys.

'Systemic problem'

New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell has rejected the need for the state to hold its own inquiry, saying it will follow what happens in Victoria.

In a letter obtained by the ABC, Mr O'Farrell says his Government will consider in detail the Victorian inquiry's findings and recommendations.

The Victorian inquiry, which itself has been criticised as being inadequate, will report back next year.

But Mr Shoebridge says New South Wales needs an open, transparent investigation.

"We need the Premier to seriously revisit his decision not to support an independent inquiry into sexual abuse here in New South Wales," he said.

"There is no reason to think that the abuse stops at the border with Victoria. This is a systemic problem."

Nicky Davis, from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, says there should be a national royal commission.

"Despite what the Catholic Church may say about ... they are doing everything possible and they are helping victims and they are protecting children, they are not doing any of those things," she said.

"A royal commission would be the very first time that we've actually had people stand up for us and say this is not good enough and we're not going to let it happen to any other children."

The New South Wales Government declined to comment, and the Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal George Pell's office did not return the ABC's calls.