AUSTRALIA
The Guardian (UK)
Australian Associated Press
theguardian.com, Thursday 3 October 2013
The Catholic church believed it had an understanding with the NSW police in 2003 that allowed it to conceal evidence against paedophile priests, a freedom of information (FOI) document reveals.
The file, accessed through FOI laws by NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge and obtained by ABC’s Lateline, documents the Catholic church’s attempt to co-opt NSW police to enter into the illegal agreement.
“Church authorities shall make available the report of an assessment and any other matter relevant to the accused’s account of events only if required to do so by court order,” the unsigned draft memorandum read.
Catholic Commission for Employment Relations executive director Michael McDonald wrote to the NSW child protection squad on 18 June 2003 seeking confirmation the memorandum of understanding (MOU) was still in place.
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