AUSTRALIA
Newcastle Herald
SENIOR members of the Catholic clergy will give evidence behind closed doors when an inquiry into the handling of allegations of child sex abuse by Hunter Valley priests resumes next month.
The list of more than 20 witnesses released during a short hearing in Sydney on Tuesday included Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle William Wright, who will be called to give evidence publicly at the start of the inquiry’s next phase on July 1 and at its conclusion.
His predecessor Bishop Michael Malone will also appear as well as Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox, and a number of police, clergy and abuse victims of Father James Fletcher and Father Denis McAlinden.
Adelaide Archbishop Philip Wilson will be among at least half a dozen witnesses to give evidence in closed hearings. Another will be Peter Gogarty, a victim of Fletcher, who had sought to give evidence publicly.
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