AUSTRALIA
Sydney Morning Herald
August 19, 2014
Jane Lee, Cameron Houston
The Catholic Church’s independent investigator into allegations of clerical abuse has been asked at the sex abuse royal commission whether he reported abuse to police and if he obstructed certain victims’ attempts to take legal action against the church.
Independent Commissioner Peter O’Callaghan, QC, was also questioned over his involvement in decisions on how much counselling the church should fund and his frequent communication with lawyers for the Archdiocese of Melbourne, which could have compromised his independence.
Counsel assisting the commission, Gail Furness, SC, repeatedly asked Mr O’Callaghan why it was his role to advise Carelink, the Melbourne Response’s counselling arm, if and when victims were given treatment.
Mr O’Callaghan replied that he was responding to a request, and that his position “doesn’t preclude me from other roles in the organisation”. He insisted he had acted independently at all times.
A barrister since 1961, he was appointed the Independent Commissioner of the church’s Melbourne Response – its internal process for handling abuse allegations – initially for a six-month term in 1996. Since 1996 the church has paid him more than $7 million.
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