Top Catholics Called to Face Abuse Inquiry

By Alicia Wood
Courier Mail
February 13, 2013

www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/top-catholics-called-to-face-abuse-inquiry/story-fndo1uez-1226577464622

TOP Catholic church leaders have been called to appear at a state inquiry into child sex abuse.

The NSW special commission of inquiry was formally opened yesterday to investigate allegations of a police cover-up of child sex abuse cases in the Maitland-Newcastle diocese.

Father Brian Lucas, the general secretary of the Australian Bishops Conference, Archbishop of Adelaide Phillip Wilson and retired bishop Michael Malone will all give evidence.

All three previously worked in the Maitland-Newcastle diocese and investigated allegations against paedophile priest Father Denis McAlinden.

The Maitland-Newcastle diocese has recognised that Father McAlinden and Father James Fletcher committed sexual abuse against children and both are named in the terms of reference.

Commissioner Margaret Cunneen noted the diocese had a "very troubled" history of child protection and child sex abuse.

"Children are inherently vulnerable and innocent. The sexual abuse of children is abhorrent. It exploits their vulnerability, irreparably damages their innocence and casts a shadow over their whole lives," she said.