Bishop's "Right-hand Man" to Front Sexual Abuse Inquiry

ABC News
July 16, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-17/bishop27s-22right-hand-man22-to-front-sexual-abuse-inquiry/4824650?section=nsw


Senior members of the Hunter Valley's Catholic Church are today expected to front an inquiry into claims the diocese covered-up abuse by two paedophile priests.

The Special Commission has heard that members of the Maitland-Newcastle diocese knew about the abuse of Denis McAlinden for 50 years but did not tell police until 2003.

The inquiry was set up last year after senior policeman Peter Fox claimed the Church tried to protect McAlinden and another Hunter Valley priest, James Fletcher.

The public hearings will continue in Newcastle this morning after the former bishop, Michael Malone, gave further evidence in-camera yesterday.

Father James Saunders, a former advisor to bishop Malone, is scheduled to give evidence followed by Father William Burston and Monsignor Allan Hart.

Bishop Malone has told the inquiry the region has had its "fair share of paedophilia" but could not say why when asked by the commissioner, Margaret Cunneen.

The diocese is considered one of the worst centres of clergy sexual abuse, with around 400 known victims and at least 14 priests either charged, convicted or under investigation

Meanwhile, victims of Hunter Valley clergy sexual abuse have welcomed the Federal Government's $17 million plan for free legal advice for people wanting to participate in the national Royal Commission.

Abuse victim Peter Gogarty has described it as a great initiative and will encourage people to come forward.

"There will be an awful lot of people, who will want to talk to this Royal Commission, who will not have the confidence or the self-assurance to do this for themselves," he said.

"So, having this money available in the face of what will be a very daunting process for a lot of people, is a very good initiative.

"Given the scale that's been happening with this Special Commission in the Hunter Valley that is a very small tip of a very large iceberg and I think anything that makes people more comfortable to come forward with their stories is a very good thing."