AUSTRALIA
news.com.au
Retired Rockhampton bishop Brian Heenan knew about at least one sexually abusive priest in his parish
RETIRED Rockhampton Bishop Brian Heenan knew about at least one sexually abusive priest who had worked in his parish as early as 1994.
But he had no training on how to handle child sex abuse allegations when he was made Bishop in 1991.
Bishop Heenan has appeared as a witness at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Rockhampton, answering questions on the Church’s responses to the abuse allegations at St Joseph’s Orphanage at Neerkol west of the city.
Counsel Assisting Sophie David, SC, asked Bishop Heenan whether, prior to becoming Bishop in 1991, he had any training in how to handle allegations of child sexual abuse related to the church.
“No specific training, no,’’ he said.
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