Abuse Allegations Involve Priest Linked to Parramatta Diocese

Hills News
December 17, 2012

http://www.hillsnews.com.au/story/1190722/abuse-allegations-involve-priest-linked-to-parramatta-diocese/?cs=12

A report into the Catholic Church’s management of sexual abuse allegations made against a former priest who was connected to the Parramatta and Armidale diocese has been handed to NSW Police.

The church commissioned the report by Anthony Whitlam QC after allegations were made that information about the priest, known as Father F, was not acted on.

The report deals with Father F’s sacking from the ministry in 2005 and what happened during a meeting between Father F and senior Catholic figures in 1992.

The Armidale diocese has denied Father F made admissions when he met Sydney priests Father Lucas and Monsignor Usher Sydney in 1992.

But a third priest present at the meeting, Father Peters, has written a differing account of the meeting that says Father F admitted to varying degrees of sexual interference with five boys around the age of 10 and 11.

A statement released by the Bishops of Parramatta and Armidale said the report would be made public after police had studied it.

‘‘The report has been given in confidence to the NSW Police and will be released, subject to their advice, as soon as practicable,’’ the statement said.

‘‘The report will then be published on the websites of both dioceses.’’

Father F, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is alleged to have abused altar boys during the 1980s.

The 59-year-old former priest was arrested at Armidale in October by police investigating allegations a priest based in the area sexually abused three girls in the 1970s and 1980s.