Priest Denis Mcalinden Abused Children for Five Decades, Inquiry Told

By Dan Box
The Australian
August 1, 2013

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/priest-denis-mcalinden-abused-children-for-five-decades-inquiry-told/story-fngburq5-1226689572168

A PEDOPHILE Catholic priest abused dozens of victims over five decades across Australia and overseas, an inquiry has heard.

The final day of the NSW Special Commission of Inquiry has heard a diocese official has since spoken to 28 of those he abused as children between 1949-86 - including in New Zealand and different Australian states.

Even the Commission's lawyers wept openly as two victim impact statements were read out during today's hearing, describing how Denis McAlinden infiltrated trusting, Catholic families and abused their children.

His victims were often aged about 10, the inquiry heard, and continue to endure the devastation this abuse caused.

"My parents died not knowing of the truth about McAlinden," one statement read.

"They would have been so devastated if they were alive today and knew about my abuse and that so many other girls were abused over so many years.

"They trusted him."

Another of the victim impact statements described living with the trauma caused by this abuse.

"There's sadness, so much sadness," it read. "You become friends with sadness as it's here more days than it is not."