AUSTRALIA
The Morning Bulletin

12.30PM: THE commission has heard when criminal action went ahead against Fr Durham, Fr Heenan wrote a letter of reference about his priest’s character.

Fr Heenan believed it was his duty to write a character reference despite the allegations against Fr Durham.

He said in his reference: “he (Fr Durham) has had a unique life as a citizen of this district, priest to many parish communities, chaplain to service personnel and inspiring friend to young and old alike. I ask that the incredible amount of good he has done will be weighed against the failing that have also been part of his life”.

12.10PM: IT took five years, after he was made aware of sexual allegations against his parish priests, for Father Heenan to make a formal apology to the victims of sexual abuse at Neerkol.