No Notes So No Evidence, Says Priest

By Elle Watson
Maitland Mercury
July 24, 2013

http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/1659704/no-notes-so-no-evidence-says-priest/?cs=12

The priest who extracted a confession from paedohpile Denis McAlinden agreed it was his "published view" not to take notes of criminal admissions because it could be used as evidence in legal procedures.

During a morning of cross-examination at the Special Commission of Inquiry, Father Brian Lucas, the general secretary of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, gave a number of reasons why it would be counter-productive to create a "permanent record" of conversations with accused priests.

"If you're sitting in front of him taking notes he isn't going to say anything - that's my experience," said Father Lucas who went on to explain that evidence also could be inadmissible.

Senior counsel assisting the commission Julia Lonergan SC put it to Father Lucas the real reason he was adverse to taking notes is because he knew it could be used in legal procedures against the offending priests.

"[That's a] reasonable comment," Father Lucas said.

Before he was ordained a priest in 1980, Father Lucas completed a law degree and practiced in the Sydney Children's Court.

He was part of a committee that prepared protocol for Bishop's in dealing with allegations of criminal behaviour in 1989.

Father Lucas said between 1990 and 1995 he heard of 35 complaints against priests.

The inquiry continues.