Clergy Member Forewarned Paedophile Priest: Fox

By Elle Watson
Maitland Mercury
July 2, 2013

http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/1610885/clergy-member-forewarned-paedophile-priest-fox/?cs=171

ACCUSATION: Whistleblower Peter Fox considered charging a senior member of the Catholic clergy who forewarned paedophile priest James Fletcher police were investigating him.

Whistleblower Peter Fox considered charging a senior member of the Catholic clergy who forewarned paedophile priest James Fletcher police were investigating a sexual abuse complaint against him, a Special Commission of Inquiry heard this morning.

The inquiry, that is examining whether the Maitland-Newcastle diocese helped or hindered police investigations, heard Bishop Michael Malone met with Fletcher in 2002 and told him a woman had made a complaint against him.

Detective Chief Inspector Fox said the former Bishop gave the priest the victim's name.

"I was far from satisfied with what he [Bishop Michael Malone] had told me, I was still contemplating whether he had overstepped the mark and committed an offence," Inspector Fox told the inquiry.

He said he believed the meeting resulted in the destruction of potential evidence.

Commissioner Margaret Cunneen SC is expected to release her findings in September.