AUSTRALIA
Newcastle Herald
By BILL WRIGHT July 2, 2013
Bill Wright is Bishop of the Maitland-Newcastle diocese of the Catholic Church. This is an edited transcript of his submission to the Special Commission of Inquiry.
AS Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle I wish to make an unreserved apology on behalf of the diocese to all those who have suffered as a result of acts or omissions by members of this diocese in relation to the matters before this Special Commission of Inquiry.
My apology must begin with an acknowledgment of the wrongs done.
I acknowledge that two men, Denis McAlinden and James Fletcher, now deceased but once priests of the diocese, repeatedly committed acts of sexual abuse of children.
I acknowledge that the children sometimes suffered further hurt when they were not believed because the offender was a priest.
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