Adamstown Catholic High School Has Removed References to Former Catholic Priest

By Joanne McCarthy
Newcastle Herald
May 6, 2017

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4643111/st-pius-deals-with-legacies-from-its-past/

ST Pius X High School at Adamstown has removed formal references to former principal and Catholic priest Patrick Helferty after former students alleged he knew about the child sex offending of fellow priest John Denham.

Principal Robert Emergy advised parents this week that the school’s executive had renamed one of the school’s houses – a student grouping – from Helferty House to Murray House (after former Maitland Bishop James Murray) following a complaint from one former student and release of a book, The Priests, by another former student, James Miller.

“This change of name has been made because there are public allegations that the house patron, Father Helferty, was aware of the sexual abuse of students that occurred at St Pius X in his time there in the 1970s and 1980s,” Mr Emery said.

“It is alleged that Father Helferty failed to act to stop the abuse. Since Father Helferty is deceased these allegations will remain as allegations.”

House patrons had to be “strong, inspiring, Catholic role models of impeccable character”, Mr Emery said.

“Out of respect for our students, staff and parents, and all victims of child sexual abuse, the school executive team has made the decision that a change of name was required for Helferty House.”

A former St Pius X student, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said he was pleased by the renaming but concerned that it took so long to occur.

“The school is a crime scene for a lot of people. Having Helferty’s name so prominent, and others who knew about what went on, means it’s still in your face every time you go there,” the former student said.

In his book Mr Miller said he was sexually abused by former principal and Catholic priest Tom Brennan, who was charged with child sex offences and concealing the crimes of John Denham at the time of his death in 2012.

Mr Miller alleged Brennan and Helferty were “lifetime lovers”, and he disclosed Brennan’s sexual abuse to Helferty.

He alleged Helferty replied: “We won't put up with boys telling lies about Father Brennan or anyone else.”