Former Head of Hunter Valley Catholic Church to Continue Evidence at Special Commission

ABC News
July 15, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-15/former-head-of-hunter-valley-catholic-church-to-continue-eviden/4819608

Former Bishop Michael Malone to continue giving evidence

The former head of the Hunter Valley's Catholic Church will continue giving evidence at the NSW inquiry into child sexual abuse when the public hearings resume this morning.

The special commission's investigating senior policeman Peter Fox's claims that the church protected two Maitland-Newcastle priests.

The inquiry went into private hearings on Friday afternoon with the former Maitland-Newcastle Bishop Michael Malone still giving evidence.

The public hearings will resume this morning with Bishop Malone expected to continue giving evidence, followed by other senior clergy including Father James Saunders, Father William Burston and Monsignor Alan Hart.

In giving evidence Bishop Malone said that after a 2004 inquiry by the state's Ombudsman he had "an epiphany" regarding his inadequate handling of abuse allegations.

But he said a culture of hiding allegations was "still alive and well in the church" making it difficult for him to become more transparent.