AUSTRALIA
ABC News
By Anne Connolly
The Anglican Church of Newcastle buried complaints about sex abusers, including reports of a senior priest who was part of a paedophile ring that involved priests and lay people.
In exclusive interviews with 7.30, whistleblowers revealed how they have been harassed and had their lives threatened for their work to expose the truth.
“I was subject to a death threat and on advice from the police and with the support of the Church’s insurer, they agreed to relocate me and my family for a period of two weeks,” John Cleary, the diocese’s business manager, said.
His colleague Michael Elliott, the director of professional standards, moved house five times within a year because of weekly vandalism to his car and house.
His family’s dog also disappeared.
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