Police Praised over Another Clergy Abuse Cover-Up Arrest

ABC News
January 5, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-05/police-praised-over-another-clergy-abuse-cover-up-arrest/4453558

An 81-year-old retired priest was yesterday charged with concealing a serious crime relating to alleged offences against a nine-year-old boy.

A Hunter Valley clergy abuse victim has applauded police for pursuing yet another Catholic priest and charging him with covering up child sex offences.

Yesterday, an 81-year-old retired priest was charged with concealing a serious crime relating to alleged offences against a nine-year-old boy at Nelson Bay and Newcastle in the 1980's.

Last year, Newcastle priest Father Tom Brennan was the first Australian charged with the same cover-up offence, but he died before being dealt with by the courts.

Abuse victim Peter Gogarty says he was thrilled to learn police have made another arrest.

"Just delight that police are pursuing that second line of criminality with these issues," he said.

"We've had so many individual priests around this area, charged and convicted, but the police I think all credit to them for their tenacity for pursuing the people."

Mr Gogarty says cover-up allegations are disturbing.

"People may not particularly agree with me, but I think it is as serious or more serious than the original offence, because effectively what it does is potentially create multiple more victims," he said.