Church Encouraged Fr Egan Complainants to See Police: Bishop, CathNews, May 17, 2010

Church Encouraged Fr Egan Complainants to See Police: Bishop

CathNews
May 17, 2010

http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=21381

Bishop David Walker

Bishop David Walker of the Diocese of Broken Bay said news reports saying the Church had failed to act on abuse allegations agains Father Finian Egan were "grossly inaccurate", and he encouraged complainants to go to the police.

"As with all matters of this nature, notification of the allegations was sent to the NSW Government Ombudsman and to the police," Bishop Walker said in response to news articles in Fairfax newspapers, which featured stories from two women who said they were abused by the priest.

"The two claimants chose not to take their claims to the Police, despite being encouraged to do so on many occasions.

"The claimants chose to participate in the Church's, Towards Healing process, which works towards seeking justice and pastoral healing for all concerned.

"Fr Egan was asked to stand aside from ministry while the process took place. He currently remains suspended from public ministry."

Bishop Walker said it has been his practice during the Towards Healing process that he must explicitly approve any involvement in events such as weddings or other celebrations by the accused priest - and a Mass con-celebrated by Fr Egan in 2009 to commemorate his Jubilee of priesthood "was undertaken without my approval".

"The initial Towards Healing process of investigation has now been completed, and I acknowledge that this initial process has taken some time, which may have caused additional stress to those involved.

"Throughout this process Fr Egan has denied the claims. As the Church's process does not determine guilt or innocence, but a finding based on a 'balance of probability' standard, Fr Egan's future must be very carefully discerned.

"After the Towards Healing process, I have to further investigate the issue before making a final determination as to Fr Egan's future in ministry. My determination can be further appealed according to Canon Law, therefore must be well grounded as Canon Law requires a higher degree of certitude than 'balance of probability'.

"When I do make my final decision, it must be submitted to the NSW Government Ombudsman, who has the power to request a review.

"It is in the best interest of all concerned that a complainant goes to the Police. To do so means that matters can be investigated with the full resources of the State and ultimately decided in a way that is acceptable to the community - 'beyond reasonable doubt.'

"Abuse is a crime that cannot be tolerated," he added, saying the diocese is committed to acting "with diligence, with justice to all and with due process" on any complaint of abuse.