AUSTRALIA
The Australian
PAUL MAGUIRE From: The Daily Telegraph July 16, 2013
A RETIRED Catholic bishop has been challenged before a NSW inquiry over his version of how and when he informed a school principal about a suspected pedophile priest.
Bishop Michael Malone was being questioned at a special commission of inquiry in Newcastle into how the church and police handled allegations of child sexual abuse by priests, James Fletcher and Denis McAlinden.
In earlier evidence to the commission, Bishop Malone said he was told by police on June 20, 2002, that Fr Fletcher was under investigation for child abuse.
He said on that day he went to Saint Brigid’s Catholic Primary School in Branxton and spoke to Fr Fletcher and the principal, Will Callinan. Bishop Malone said he told Mr Callinan charges against Fr Fletcher were imminent and his access to the school and students had to be restricted.
Mr Callinan’s lawyer Mr Potter told Bishop Malone Mr Callinan said he was not at Branxton that day, as he was at a school in Greta.
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