Bishop Harris has investigated an audit of allegations of abuse by priests dating back to the 1970s and will appoint an officer to safeguard against future cases.

Bishop Harris said the Townsville diocese had not been immune to historic cases of child abuse as outlined in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

He described former Mount Isa Catholic priest Father Neville Joseph Creen as a “bad egg” and said there was no place in the church for such priests.

“He has done his time and he has walked free but the church still has to go through the process of trying to heal the communities,” Bishop Harris said.

“I am reading a file every day about historical cases of abuse. It is no secret the church in Townsville has had its share of historical stuff.

Creen pleaded guilty in court in 2003 and again in 2004, that he touched 20 young girls sexually when he was a priest at the Good Shepherd parish at Mount Isa from 1973 to 1981. The girls, aged between five and 13 at the time, were pupils at Catholic schools.

He served 14 months in prison with the remainder of his sentence suspended for four years.

Bishop Harris said a diocesan safeguarding co-ordinator would focus on the professional integrity of clergy and all those engaged in activities involving children within the church in Townsville.

“That is my responsibility, it is important for me to know that I am inheriting a clean ship,” he said.

“As the Bishop, I have to know I have someone working on this 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“This appointment could cost us $100,000 a year but I don’t care what we have to pay as long as I know children and vulnerable adults are cared for.

“This person is going to make sure we and parishes down the line are continually audited, and make sure parish priests know what is expected of them.

“This is a no-brainer and we must act and act quickly.”

Townsville diocese professional standards co-ordinator Geraldine O’Brien said the appointment of a safety officer was raised several years ago but it was put on hold when the late Bishop Michael Putney became seriously ill.

“It is wonderful to see this tremendous idea, which has been in the pipeline for so long, come to fruition,” Mrs O’Brien said.