Catholic Priest Accused of Covering up Abuse Terminally Ill

ABC News
September 25, 2012

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-25/catholic-priest-accused-of-covering-up-abuse-terminally-ill/4279334

Newcastle Local court hears a Hunter Valley Catholic priest, facing charges of covering up child sex abuse, is terminally ill.

A court has been told a New South Wales Catholic priest charged with covering up sex abuse is terminally ill.

Today was to be Father Tom Brennan's first appearance in court after being charged with covering up buggery and indecent assault offences by a defrocked Hunter Valley priest in the 1970s.

The charges stem from Brennan's time as a principal at a Newcastle Catholic high school.

He is also charged with assaulting an eight or nine-year-old boy.

Brennan's defence solicitor John Anthony told Newcastle Local Court this morning that his client was unable to attend because he was in hospital.

Mr Anthony described it as "not a small issue".

A certificate from a laparoscopic surgeon was handed to the court which stated Brennan was an in-patient and was unfit to attend court.

The ABC has been told he is being treated for cancer and the court heard his condition is terminal.

The matter has been adjourned to the end of October.

Brennan is the first person in Australia to be charged with failing to report sexual abuse by another priest.