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Church Knew of Lismore Parish Abuse Allegations in 1985, Inquiry Hears

The Guardian
December 13, 2013

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/13/church-knew-about-lismore-parish-priest-abuse-allegations-in-1985

Jennifer Ingham told the royal commission she was abused from the age of 16 in 1978 until 1982. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP Image

The Catholic church had known about child sex abuse allegations against a northern NSW priest since the 1980s, an inquiry has heard.

Jennifer Ingham has told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that she was abused from the age of 16 in 1978 until 1982 by a parish priest in the diocese of Lismore, Father Paul Rex Brown, who died in 2005.

She claims she confronted church figures in 1990 but only received an apology this year.

On Friday, the commission heard evidence that the church was aware of sex abuse claims about Brown from as early as 1985.

Emma Fenby, a former claims manager for Catholic Church Insurance (CCI), also gave evidence on Friday.

CCI pays out certain claims by victims who approach the church via its own Towards Healing process.

Fenby testified that when Ingham's claim for compensation came through in 2012, Lismore deacon Christopher Wallace told her in an email that Brown "had form in this area".

Asked what she understood by this, Fenby replied: "There had been a previous claim."

Fenby said a review of Brown's file revealed "the knowledge [of abuse allegations] was in the vicinity of March 1985".

Ingham, now 51, has testified she first confronted the church in 1990 at a meeting with clergy including her family priest, Father Frank Mulcahy, who has denied ever meeting or knowing her.

Mulcahy testified on Thursday that Brown was eventually dumped from his duties because he was an alcoholic.

"That's why he was dismissed from his post as parish priest for Tweed Heads," Mulcahy said.

"He was never, ever accused of sexual abuse."

But an internal church document tendered on Friday and described as a "document prepared providing the reasons for the removal of Father Brown as a parish priest" mentioned allegations of abuse, the commission heard.

The public hearing continues in Sydney.

 

 

 

 

 




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