Pedophile Priest Cover-up Alleged

By Mitchell Nadin
The Australian
November 9, 2012

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/pedophile-priest-cover-up-alleged/story-e6frg6nf-1226513379544

A SENIOR detective in the NSW police force has accused the Catholic Church of covering up widespread pedophilia within the church and written to the NSW Premier, Barry O'Farrell, demanding a royal commission.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox, who was instrumental investigating systemic pedophilia over more than a decade in the NSW Hunter region, claims a network of priests worked to conceal their actions and even used parish money to fight legal battles.

Inspector Fox said many priests had "no hesitation" in lying about the chronic practice, which took place in the Newcastle-Maitland Diocese.

The region has attracted attention for the large number of victims -- numbering about 400 -- and 11 clergy have been charged and convicted since 1995. Three current priests are also on trial.

Inspector Fox said he was in possession of "explosive documents" obtained through a whistleblower and victim who contacted him about her ordeal, and demanded Mr O'Farrell follow Victoria's lead and set up a royal commission.

"There is something very wrong when you have so many pedophile priests operating in such a small area for such an extended period of time with immunity," Inspector Fox told the ABC's Lateline last night. "I submitted report after report suggesting that we needed to do a lot more about investigating this -- why that didn't happen, I've never received a response.

"Alarm bells were ringing there for me many, many years ago, so much so that I detailed a number of reports to hierarchy in the police departments."

Inspector Fox, who has been in the police for 35 years, said he submitted reports about investigating many cases of pedophilia but was stood down by senior officers in the NSW police force in 2010 when a formal investigation began.

He said one such case included a priest who drove a 12-year-old boy to a secluded park outside Maitland and sodomised the youth, causing physical damage.

He said he was dismayed when he was taken off the case, after having built a bond of trust with victims since 1999.

"I was very, very disappointed," he said. "As to the reasons why that was done, when I had pursued the matter for over a decade, I don't know."

Inspector Fox said the current investigation by the NSW police and Department of Public Prosecution was insufficient to cope with the Church's complicated structure and needed a royal commission.