Protesters Target Priests at Inquiry

By Ian Kirkwood
Newcastle Herald
July 17, 2013

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1644755/protesters-target-priests-at-inquiry/?cs=303

TARGET: A protester with a sign follows Catholic Father William Burston out of the Special Commission of Inquiry in Newcastle today.

THREE protesters, one with a sign saying ‘‘Paedophilia No More’’, followed Catholic Father William Burston out of Wednesday’s Special Commission of Inquiry in Newcastle.

Buttabah man Frank Scaysbrook verbally taunted Father Burston as he left the hearing with his advisers and a Newcastle woman, Pat Garnet, walked beside him holding the sign for the cameras.

This very public display of protest came minutes after Commission Margaret Cunneen warned the public gallery over its behaviour towards witnesses.

At the close of proceedings Ms Cunneen said Father Burston had been been approached in the waiting area outside the commission room and ‘‘subjected to rudeness’’.

Ms Cunneen said it was unacceptable behaviour and she would consider taking action if she found out who was responsible.

She said Father Burston had ‘‘given his life to the Catholic Church’’ and should not have been treated as he was.

She said no findings had been made in connection with her investigation and she warned people about pre-judging events.

Father Burston had been examined on Wednesday afternoon on his evidence-in-chief by counsel assisting, David Kell.

Father Burston agreed he served in various senior positions under Bishop Michael Malone and his predecessor, Bishop Leo Clarke.

As vicar-general – a position generally regarded as second in charge of the diocese – he was involved in efforts to have disgraced paedophile priest Denis McAlinden laicised or defrocked.

Although Father Burston was given the opportunity to refresh his memory with various documents he had written or had access to during the process, he repeatedly told Mr Kell he was unable to recall much of what happened.

There were audible groans from sections of the gallery when Father Burston said he could not recall the first time he heard concerns about McAlinden and ‘‘proximity to children’’.

Despite Mr Kell suggesting he would have had to have accessed priests’ files to write the letters that he did in relation to McAlinden, Father Burston repeatedly said he could not recall going to the files.

He said he would have got his information from Bishop Malone.

Father Burston is expected to resume giving evidence on Thursday morning.