Malone Tells Inquiry of 'Sickening' Reports

By Ian Kirkwood
Newcastle Herald
July 15, 2013

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1638105/malone-tells-inquiry-of-sickening-reports/?cs=305

Bishop Michael Malone outside the court last week.

BISHOP Michael Malone has been cross-examined by Peter Gogarty, a victim in childhood of paedophile priest Jim Fletcher,  in Monday’s opening session of the special commission of inquiry in Newcastle.

Asked about his growing awareness in about 2004 of the impact of paedophilia on its victims and on the size of the problem in his diocese, Bishop Malone said the victims were traumatised by their abuse.

Referring to an earlier period in 2002 Bishop Malone said he did not check Fletcher’s file to see if there were earlier allegations against him because – as he said previously – he found reading about these matters ‘‘to be quite sickening’’.

Bishop Malone told how some families who had spoken out were ostracised and intimidated in the church. One family had their house pelted with eggs, which was something he himself experienced when his house at Hamilton was egged later on.

Bishop Malone was also questioned by counsel for a victim of paedophile priest Denis McAlinden.

In this session, Maria Gerace for AJ asked Bishop Malone about church  meetings in 1995 that recorded efforts to discipline McAlinden.

Bishop Malone agreed that he and the other bishops were attempting to laicise or defrock McAlinden.

He agreed there was a zero prospect of success if McAlinden did not agree with the process.

The hearing are continuing with some sessions on Monday expected to be behind closed doors.