Church 'Treated' Pedophile Priests

By Dan Box
The Australian
May 20, 2013

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/church-treated-pedophile-priests/story-e6frgczx-1226646318433

POLICE investigating an alleged cover-up of child abuse committed by Catholic priests discussed an in-house treatment centre run by the church for clergy suspected of sex offences.

More than 1000 people, including hundreds of priests, attended the Encompass Australasia program at centres in Sydney and Melbourne before it was wound down in 2010.

In a 2010 diary entry recording a conversation between two senior officers involved in the investigation, Detective Inspector Paul Jacob wrote: "'Encompass'. Retreat for clergy. Method of moving s/off's" (sex offenders).

The diary entry, tendered in evidence to the NSW Special Commission of Inquiry, also notes that police were expecting to interview a "significant rollover", a church employee prepared to give evidence to police.

"Links to SA (South Australia) Archbishop," the note continued. "Appears on surface that good info will be provided on way the Cath Church suppressed or minimised, moved s/off's".