AUSTRALIA
The Australian
DAN BOX From: The Australian June 29, 2013
A DETECTIVE working with a police strike force that has charged 11 priests with hundreds of child abuse offences was warned by a colleague that her life was in danger from the “Catholic mafia”, an inquiry has heard.
A DETECTIVE was warned by a colleague that her life was in danger from the “Catholic mafia”, an inquiry has heard.
Detective Sergeant Kristi Faber told the NSW special commission of inquiry into church child abuse that another detective, Peter Fox, made the claim during a telephone conversation last year.
Detective Chief Inspector Fox told Ms Faber that her investigation into historic abuse committed by local priests meant she “would not be liked” and her “life was in danger from the Catholic mafia”, she said.
In his own sworn evidence to the inquiry, Mr Fox has previously denied the conversation took place, although he has repeatedly used the phrase to describe serving officers who allegedly attempted to discourage investigations into the clergy.
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