'Outsider' Called in to Help Church Deal with Abuse Claims
By Dan Cox
The former head of the Catholic Church's child protection unit in the Hunter Valley says the bishop was keen to get advice from outside of the diocese.
Helen Keevers is giving evidence at the NSW Special Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating claims the church covered up abuse by paedophile priests James Fletcher and Denis McAlinden.
Ms Keevers used to be the manager of Zimmerman house, set up to make it easier for abuse victims to come forward.
She has told the inquiry during her four years as manager her team investigated seven members of clergy, four of which resulted in criminal prosecution.
Ms Keevers said the bishop at the time Michael Malone was "deeply affected" by his "inappropriate decision making during the Fletcher matter".
She said those major mistakes meant he "honestly wanted completely independent advice separate from the church".
Ms Keevers said she was treated like an "outsider" saying "there was a clear sub text, they were all Catholic and I was not".
She told the inquiry bishop Malone was judged for his mistakes and then judged for the changes he tried to bring in.
Ms Keevers said she likes to think she played a role in bishop Malone's epiphany regarding his poor handling of abuse allegations levelled at priests.
The inquiry has been told it was her view that bishop Malone steadfastly adhered to reporting requirements regarding child protection.
She said police were given complete access to diocesan files with bishop Malone even writing a letter to strike force detectives stating they did not need a warrant and were welcome in the diocese at any time.
Ms Keevers said once the unit was established her team was forever "playing catch-up" as they were "inundated with complaints".
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