AUSTRALIA
Sydney Morning Herald
July 4, 2013
Catherine Armitage
Senior Writer
The Pope’s representative in Australia knew of ”serious accusations” against the notorious priest Denis McAlinden from at least 1995, the inquiry into alleged cover-ups of paedophilia by two Hunter region priests has heard.
Leo Clarke, then bishop of the Maitland-Newcastle diocese, wrote to the Holy See’s diplomatic representative in Australia in 1995 seeking his help with a ”very delicate matter” relating to ”serious accusations concerning a priest of the diocese, McAlinden”, counsel assisting the inquiry Julia Lonergan, SC, said on Wednesday.
The letter referred to steps being taken to remove McAlinden from the priesthood. It said during an interview with Father Brian Lucas, that ”Father McAlinden admitted that the allegations were true”.
Former bishop of the Maitland-Newcastle diocese: Leo Clarke. Photo: Supplied
The Manuka, ACT-based Apostolic Nuncio, as the papal ambassador is known, was also informed that McAlinden had agreed to seek counselling in England.
According to the evidence Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox asked Bishop Clarke, by then retired, about rumours he’d heard that the bishop might know about more victims of McAlinden. Bishop Clarke told him “no”, Chief Inspector Fox said.
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