Catholic Diocese Urged to Come Clean on Panel Resignations

ABC News
September 25, 2014

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-25/catholic-diocese-urged-to-come-clean-on-panel-resignations/5767698

PHOTO: A call for Bill Wright, the Bishop of the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Diocese to clarify the make up of his special review panel. (ABC News: Dan Cox)

A clergy abuse survivors group wants clarification on who has resigned from a panel set up to determine the future of two Hunter Catholic priests.

A Special Commission of Inquiry into child sexual abuse found Monsignor Allan Hart and Father William Burston to be unimpressive witnesses, prompting calls for them to resign.

A seven-member independent panel was set up by the Catholic diocese to determine their future, but two members have quit and only one has been replaced, delaying its final report.

Bob O'Toole from the Clergy Abuse Network says he has several concerns.

"We don't know of the two resignations which ones went," he said.

"We don't know if there's a victim still on the panel.

"I didn't really feel that the panel was necessary in any event but I think given that he has established a panel we should at least know who is speaking on our behalf."

Mr O'Toole says he is worried the panel no longer includes a victim of abuse.

"I mean there has been two people leave.

"One has been replaced and one is not going to be replaced.

"I think it is pretty sad really, in my view it is a bit of an embarrassment.

"I mean I am just flabbergasted, really, that it's taking so long."