AUSTRALIA
ABC News
The former Catholic Bishop accused of tipping-off a paedophile priest about a police investigation will today front a New South Wales inquiry into clergy sexual abuse in the Hunter Valley.
Documents tendered at the commission last week show senior Catholic church officials, including the former Maitland-Newcastle Bishop Michael Malone, knew about Father James Fletcher and Father Denis McAlinden’s abuse.
Late yesterday, whistleblower detective, Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox finished giving evidence at the special commission.
DCI Fox claimed Bishop Malone intentionally hindered his investigation into Fletcher by telling the priest about the allegations, which gave him time to “destroy evidence”.
Michael Malone’s barrister Simon Harben has previously told the inquiry the former Bishop was legitimately concerned for the priest’s poor health and Peter Fox he had “no basis” for the accusation.
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