O'Farrell calls for Father Brian Lucas' sacking, Newcastle Herald (June 18, 2014)

FORMER NSW premier Barry O’Farrell has called for a high-ranking Catholic priest to be sacked from a key leadership position for not reporting child sexual abuse to police.

Mr O’Farrell in a speech to parliament on Tuesday night called for Father Brian Lucas, general secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference, to be stood down.

The former leader made the comments while criticising the church’s response to Commissioner Margaret Cunneen’s damning report in late May into an alleged cover-up of child sexual abuse in the Catholic diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

Father Lucas gave evidence on Tuesday at the royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse in Canberra.

‘‘He is also a lawyer, which is a relevant fact because he, more than anyone involved in the sorry, squalid and scandalous saga, should have respected the law and reported illegal activities to police,’’ Mr O’Farrell said.

‘‘It is time the Catholic bishops took a strong stand against clergy abuse within the church, sent a clear message about the responsibility of all its religious (members) to report such crimes to police and extended to victims and their families every possible support and redress.

‘‘Removing Father Lucas from his position as General Secretary to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference would be a worthwhile first step.

Mr O’Farrell also took aim at Maitland-Newcastle diocese head, Bishop William Wright, for his response to the report.

The report made adverse findings against Father William Burston and Monsignor Allan Hart, and found senior church officials did have information relating to child sex abuse that would have assisted the police.‘‘

On the day the report was made public, Bishop Wright issued a statement that suggested the report would be scrutinised, its findings taken on board and action taken,’’ Mr O’Farrell said.

‘‘Yet last week, despite the damning exposition by the commission of Monsignor Hart’s lack of action in 1993, Bishop Wright simply stood him aside from advisory positions in the diocese.‘‘

As a response to such a damning inquiry it was completely underwhelming, more a sign of spin.’’

Mr O’Farrell said he agreed with calls from the Clergy Abused Network for Monsignor Hart to retire or to resign.

Comment is being sought from Bishop Wright.