‘Outsider’ called in to help church deal with abuse claims

AUSTRALIA
ABC News

By Dan Cox

The former head of the Catholic Church’s child protection unit in the Hunter Valley says the bishop was keen to get advice from outside of the diocese.

Helen Keevers is giving evidence at the NSW Special Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating claims the church covered up abuse by paedophile priests James Fletcher and Denis McAlinden.

Ms Keevers used to be the manager of Zimmerman house, set up to make it easier for abuse victims to come forward.

She has told the inquiry during her four years as manager her team investigated seven members of clergy, four of which resulted in criminal prosecution.

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