Ex Catholic Priest Allegedly Covered up Child Sex Crimes for Almost 30 Years

By Neil Keene
The Australian
January 29, 2013

www.theaustralian.com.au/news/ex-catholic-priest-allegedly-covered-up-child-sex-crimes-for-almost-30-years/story-e6frg6n6-1226564153873

Lewis Dominic Fenton, 81, in court. Picture: Neil Keene Source: The Daily Telegraph

A FORMER Catholic priest who allegedly covered up child sex crimes for almost 30 years has appeared in court today for the first time.

Father Lewis Dominic Fenton, 81, appeared only briefly in Newcastle Local Court in NSW this morning after his arrest earlier this month.

Officers from Strike Force Georgiana, set up to investigate allegations of child abuse within the church, allege Fenton concealed from authorities his knowledge of another man’s sexual abuse of a child between 1982 and 1984 in the Hunter Region.

Walking with the aid of a cane and wearing gold crucifixes on his shirt collar, Fenton did not enter pleas to committing an act of indecency, being an accessory before the fact to an offence and unlawfully concealing a felony.

He was granted bail until his next court appearance in March.