AUSTRALIA
Herald Sun
The Catholic Church in Melbourne was aware of abuse from about the 1950s but failed to protect children in its care, a former priest is expected to tell a royal commission.
Former Melbourne priest Philip O’Donnell will be the first witness at the child abuse royal commission’s hearing into how the Catholic Church handled abuse allegations in the Melbourne archdiocese, which begins on Tuesday.
Mr O’Donnell, who was a seminarian and then priest from 1969 to 1999, gave evidence to a Victorian parliamentary inquiry two years ago.
He told the inquiry the Archdiocese of Melbourne had specific knowledge of child abuse from about 1950 to 1990 but completely failed children in its care with a hierarchy relying on a legal strategy of avoidance and denial.
Mr O’Donnell also gave evidence that former Melbourne archbishop Frank Little became hostile and evasive when told of allegations against Father Wilfred `Bill’ Baker in the 1970s.
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