Catholic Church Incapable of Child Abuse Reform, Says Ex-Priest Phil O'Donnell

By Annika Smethurst
The Telegraph
January 23, 2013

www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/catholic-church-incapable-of-child-abuse-reform-says-ex-priest-phil-odonnell/story-fndo2dsc-1226560267348

Archbishop Frank Little failed to acknowledge the allegations of sexual abuse by priests in Melbourne's north, former priest Phil O'Donnell told the inquiry. Photo by Trevor Pinder

THE Catholic Church is incapable of the radical reforms necessary to resolve child abuse by clergy, a parliamentary inquiry has heard. 

Former priest Phil O'Donnell said the Archdiocese of Melbourne had known about allegations of sexual abuse by clergy since the 1950s but failed to protect children in its care.

"How do we understand an adult male and particularly a priest, having sex with kids," Mr O'Donnell said.

"Apart from the obvious personal damages to the victims and their families, which is obviously immense, this scandal has been the cause of much distress to the priests, religious and lay people of the church."

Mr O'Donnell said the problems were caused by a group of "predatory clergy" and that most Catholics were horrified by the evidence of child abuse.

Mr O'Donnell told the inquiry he lived and worked with offending priests in Melbourne's north in the 1960s and 1980s and that during that time, Archbishop Frank Little failed to acknowledge the allegations of sexual abuse.

Earlier today the hearing heard from Catholics for Renewal who called for a widespread reform of the governance of the church.

Catholics for Renewal president Peter Johnstone said the mandatory reporting of child abuse by clergy to police was essential.

The parliamentary inquiry continues.