AUSTRALIA
National Catholic Reporter
Stephen Crittenden | Dec. 20, 2013
SYDNEY The papal nuncio to Australia, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, claimed diplomatic immunity in response to repeated requests for archival documentation that might assist a prosecutor with her inquiry into sex abuse, copies of correspondence released this week show.
In the end, though, Gallagher decided to turn over documents sought as part of the New South Wales Special Commission of Inquiry. In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Friday, Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Truth Justice and Healing Council, said Gallagher told him the Apostolic Nunciature had handed over the documents Dec. 6.
The Truth Justice and Healing Council was established early this year to coordinate the church’s response to the royal commission. Sullivan said when he took on the role he had made it clear that the church would cooperate fully with the commission. “That was the instruction from the church leadership and the same applies to other inquiries.”
“Although we’re very clear that the relationship between Australia and the Vatican is conducted through the appropriate diplomatic channels, we’ll produce the documents the inquiry needs,” Sullivan said.
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