Priest Victim Opens up at Inquiry

By Ian Kirkwood
Newcastle Herald
July 23, 2013

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1655788/priest-victim-opens-up-at-inquiry/?cs=12

A VICTIM of paedophile priest Jim Fletcher known as AH has given an emotional statement to the special commission of inquiry in Newcastle about the impact Fletcher’s abuse has had on his life.

The case of AH, who cannot be named, has been a centrepiece of this inquiry and his appearance in the witness box had been long anticipated.

The commission room, including Commissioner Margaret Cunneen, broke into applause at the end of his statement.

Commissioner Cunneen reminded AH that no shame remained with him under the shame was properly wear it now lay.

AH began by telling the commission of the difficulty he had in telling people about the abuse.

He spoke of going to see police officer Peter Fox, and congratulated and thanked Mr Fox for the work that he did.

He was angry that the church had tipped Fletcher off and had clubbed together against him and his family at Fletcher’s trial.

He said he was amazed that Bishop Michael Malone had rung him the day that Fletcher was convicted and had asked him during that conversation to ‘‘keep the faith’’.

‘‘What faith?’’ AH asked.

He said Fletcher’s abuse had had a devastating impact on his life.

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He had attempted suicide, had lost a marriage and a business.

He said that as his situation had become more known, complete strangers had begun coming up to him in the street divulging their experiences of abuse from the church, from schools and from families.

Outside the commission, AH spoke to reporters and said he felt he needed to make a statement having listened to the coverage and read about it from a distance, as no longer lived in the Hunter.

The commission’s public hearings have resumed with monsignor Allan Hart in the witness box.