AUSTRALIA
ABC News
By Dan Cox
The former Bishop of the Catholic Church in the NSW Hunter Valley says he knew a paedophile priest had a psychological condition that made him an ongoing threat to children.
Former Maitland-Newcastle Bishop Michael Malone is giving evidence at the inquiry which was sparked by policeman Peter Fox.
Detective Chief Inspector Fox says the church covered up abuse by father James Fletcher and father Denis McAlinden.
Bishop Malone says he knew about the abuse but did not tell police because the victims did not want to press charges.
Bishop Malone told the public hearings today McAlinden “thought his tendency to sexual abuse was somehow controlled by prayer and the sacraments”.
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