Abuse Victims Thought Church Would Help

ABC News
September 25, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-25/abuse-victims-thought-church-would-help/4979170

The special commission will today hear from the barrister who is representing the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Diocese.

A child sexual abuse inquiry has heard some Hunter Valley victims did not want police involved because they were under the impression the Church would stop a paedophile priest from offending again.

The special commission is looking at claims police and the Catholic Church covered up abuse by two Maitland-Newcastle paedophile priests.

Maria Gerace is representing several abuse victims and yesterday summed up her case before the commissioner, Margaret Cunneen.

Ms Gerace told the inquiry her clients did not want police involved early on but that's when they thought the Church was able to remove McAlinden from ministry and stop him offending.

She said they were never told about the "difficulties" the church had to deal with after Denis McAlinden refused to co-operate with his laicisation.

It is expected today will be the final day of oral submissions.

The commission will hear from the barrister who is representing the Maitland-Newcastle diocese, as well as the barrister for the former vicar general, Monsignor Allan Hart.