Nsw Hunter Valley Catholic Diocese Had 'Fair Share' of Paedophilia, Abuse Inquiry Told

By Dan Cox
ABC News
July 15, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-15/diocese-had-fair-share-of-paedophilia2c-inquiry-told/4821044

Retired Bishop Michael Malone is being cross-examined by an abuse victim.

A former Hunter Valley Catholic Bishop has told a New South Wales Special Commission into clergy sexual abuse that the diocese has had its "fair share" of paedophilia.

The former Maitland-Newcastle Bishop Michael Malone has been cross-examined by Peter Gogarty, who was abused by Father James Fletcher and has been given special leave to cross-examine those giving evidence at the public hearings.

Mr Gogarty today asked Bishop Malone if Fletcher's abuse was ever discussed at the Australian Catholic Bishop's conference.

Bishop Malone replied: The region has "had its fair share of paedophilia issues to deal with, so in a generic way it came up".

However, he said Fletcher was not discussed specifically.

Bishop Malone said while victims were ostracised by some parishioners, his home was pelted with eggs.

Bishop Malone says Fletcher's supervision was "fairly minimal" after being accused of child sexual abuse, despite him being in charge of a parish with several schools.

He told the commission he did warn one school principal to ensure that some of Fletcher's activities, such as student reading groups, were curtailed.

Senior policeman Peter Fox triggered the inquiry when he claimed the church covered up abuse by two priests - Fletcher and Denis McAlinden.

The inquiry continues.