AUSTRALIA
ABC News
By Emilie Gramenz
Former Tasmanian bishop Philip Newell “must have known about” a paedophile priest who was abusing boys, his son’s former girlfriend has told the royal commission into child sexual abuse.
A public hearing in Hobart is investigating the Anglican Church and its youth group, the Church of England Boys Society (CEBS).
In the 1980s, Catherine Hutchinson dated Christopher Newell, the son of former bishop Phillip Newell.
Their relationship lasted about five years.
Ms Hutchinson told the commission Christopher Newell made comments about the conduct of paedophile priest Louis Daniels in 1984, prior to any official complaints being made.
“He said, when Lou Daniels is around at CEBS camps, there will be CEBS with sore bottoms,” she said.
Counsel Assisting Naomi Sharp then asked “did you ever pursue with Christopher Newell what he meant when he made these comments?”
“No, I didn’t,” Ms Hutchinson said.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.