Bishop Did Not Destroy Documents: Inquiry

By Ian Kirkwood
Newcastle Herald
July 12, 2013

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1634019/bishop-did-not-destroy-documents-inquiry/?cs=12

BISHOP Michael Malone has admitted to defying Church Canon law by not destroying secret priest files in accordance with an edict from Rome.

Resuming in the witness box on Friday Bishop Malone was again taken to his knowledge of events relating to paedophile priests Denis McAlinden and Jim Fletcher.

As has been the case for the past two days Bishop Malone has answered many questions from counsel assisting Julia Lonergan by saying he could not recall the details of events of the time.

Ms Lonergan asked Bishop Malone about Canon law requiring him to destroy confidential documents relating to criminal charges over moral matters after a period of 10 years or upon the death of the priest concerned.

Only a text of the "definitive judgment" and a summary of the facts was to be kept.

Bishop Malone said "No I didn't do that. I didn't destroy documents in my time as a Bishop."

In an answer Ms Lonergan took to be jocular Bishop Malone said "Perhaps I should have."

Bishop Malone admitted that, in his early years, his approach to dealing with sexual abuse by priests in his diocese was influenced by a need as a bishop to defend the Catholic Church as an organisation.

But from about 2004 he realised the need to be much more transparent and open about things, and to put the needs of victims first.

He said he authorised Church employee Helen Keevers from Zimmerman House to give parts of McAlinden's confidential file to one of his victims because he believed seeing the steps the Church had taken against him would help with her healing.

Bishop Malone is expected to give further evidence in public before a session held in camera.