AUSTRALIA
The herald
SAM RIGNEY
THE high-powered legal team of Philip Edward Wilson are seeking to call evidence from two people, including one of Australia’s most influential clerics, to prove the accused Adelaide Archbishop had a tendency to report allegations of child sexual abuse to the authorities.
The landmark hearing into allegations Archbishop Wilson concealed child sexual abuse allegations against Hunter priest Jim Fletcher resumed in Newcastle Local Court on Monday, four months after it began with the revelation that the Adelaide Archbishop had been given a “working diagnosis” of Alzheimer’s disease.
Barrister Stephen Odgers, SC, who represents Archbishop Wilson, the most senior Catholic cleric in the world to be charged with concealing child sex allegations involving another priest, sought an “advanced ruling” from Magistrate Robert Stone to tender the statement of two people, including Senior Catholic priest Monsignor David Cappo, to show he had a tendency to report allegations of child sexual abuse and not conceal them.
Crown prosecutor Gareth Harrison opposed the defence application and said that if Mr Stone allowed it he would seek to call evidence from three people that he said showed the Archbishop had a tendency to protect the church.
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