Archbishop Denis Hart says criticism of church handling of paedophiles is valid

By Padraic Murphy
Herald Sun
November 30, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/zujmp2h

Archbishop Denis Hart has fronted the church chld abuse royal commission.

Cardinal George Pell was Auxiliary Bishop of the Doveton Parish in the 1980s. Photo by Andreas Solaro

CARDINAL George Pell was briefed about concerns a priest had shown a dead body to children but the pervert was not removed from the school, the Royal Commission in to child abuse has heard.

Inaction over that priest — who it later emerged was a pedophile — emerged as Archbishop Denis Hart gave evidence about an horrific period at Doveton Parish in the 1980s that saw a succession of pedophile priests in charge.

Archbishop Hart said he expected Cardinal George Pell - who at the time was the parish’s Auxiliary Bishop - to have been to act on the priest’s morbid behaviour.

“I would have expected he would have taken up the matter......I don’t know what he knew and I don’t know what he did,” Archbishop Hart said.

PREVIOUSLY: PELL DENIES MISLEADING SEX ABUSE INQUIRY

At one point in 1989, Cardinal Pell discussed a list of grievances about pedophile priest Peter Searson lodged by parentswhich said he had shown children a body in a casket and tortured animals in front of them.

Although Cardinal Pell was involved in day to day management of the region, decisions about removal rested with then Archbishop Frank Little.

Archbishop Hart said Searson was “mad, psychotic” and he would have done everything in his power to have him removed.

Earlier, Archbishop Hart admitted internal disciplinary procedures for pedophile priests are clouded in secrecy and designed to protect the reputation of the Church.

Archbishop Hart again gave evidence at the child abuse Royal Commission today and said he had never exercised his power to sack a priest.

Archbishop Hart said under Church laws, a decision to laicise a priest rested in Rome, was confidential and acknowledged criticism the practice amounted to a cover-up.

“It’s a valid criticism. It arises out of the whole situation in the 50s, ‘60s and 70s where the good of the Church was paramount,” Archbishop Hart said.

The speed with which Rome dealt with pedophile priests was also concerning, Archbishop Hart said.

“I believe the system is intended to protect people against these awful predators,” he said. “I would hope replies from Rome would come more quickly.”

The Church’s response to sex abuse in the 1980s was inadequate and had been paralysed by former Archbishop Little, Archbishop Hart said.

“I’ve been just totally appalled by the extent and depravity of the offenders and the suffering and ruination of the lives of survivors,” he said.

Archbishop Hart also confirmed that parishioners were not told of convictions against pervert priests, simply that they had been removed.

Archbishop Hart agreed with Commissioner Justice Peter McClellan that many of the scandals besetting the Church may have been avoided if women held senior managerial positions,

Archbishop Hart’s evidence continues tomorrow.