AUSTRALIA
ABC News
By Dan Cox
The former head of the Catholic Church’s child protection unit says she uncovered evidence about a Hunter Valley paedophile priest after being given access to the Church’s archives.
Helen Keevers was the manager of Zimmerman House, which was set up to make it easier for abuse victims to come forward.
She has given evidence at the inquiry into claims the Church covered up abuse by two Maitland-Newcastle priests, Denis McAlinden and James Fletcher.
She told the Special Commission it “was not particularly respectful but the priests’ confidential files were called the bad files”.
Ms Keevers said the former bishop, Michael Malone, made it clear she could have access to any relevant documents she wanted, and he wrote a letter to strike force detectives stating they did not need a warrant and were welcome in the diocese at any time.
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