Abuse Priest Warned of Investigation, Inquiry Told

By Dan Cox
ABC News
July 2, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-02/abuse-priest-warned-of-investigation2c-inquiry-told/4794274

An inquiry into child sexual abuse in the New South Wales Hunter Valley's Catholic Church has heard "potential evidence was destroyed" when a paedophile priest was warned about abuse allegations against him.

The second stage of the inquiry is investigating claims by senior New South Wales policeman Peter Fox that the church covered-up allegations of abuse by two priests, James Fletcher and Denis McAlinden.

In giving evidence today, Detective Chief Inspector Fox told the court that in 2005 the then Maitland-Newcastle Bishop Michael Malone told Fletcher that someone had been to police complaining they had been sexually abused by him.

Peter Fox said the victim's mother was "most distraught" that Fletcher had been told the name of the complainant.

The policeman told the inquiry he did not yet have a statement from the victim and it was "a major disruption" to the investigation.

He labelled the move "deliberate and sinister", saying it "forewarned Fletcher" and "potential evidence was destroyed".

He also said the crucial "element of surprise" was "robbed" from investigators.

Detective Chief Inspector Fox told the court he went to Bishop Malone and told him that he had "overstepped the mark and had committed a criminal offence".

He said he, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, decided not to press charges.

He told the inquiry the former Bishop said it was not his intention to hinder the investigation, and hoped it would not be viewed like that.

The policeman also told the inquiry that Bishop Malone was "cooperative and obliging" when they met regarding Fletcher, but he "seemed reluctant" to limit the priest's contact with children.

He said he understands "innocent until proven guilty", but Bishop Malone had "a duty of care to his parishioners" and Fletcher should not have had continued access to schools.

Detective Chief Inspector Fox was forced to correct some evidence given in private hearings earlier this year regarding a file note about a meeting with the former Bishop.

The inquiry continues.