A woman who has accused a former Lismore priest of sexually abusing her in 1968 has been allowed to have her case heard in the New South Wales Supreme Court.

Key points:

• The Supreme Court allows the trial to proceed against the Diocese of Lismore
• A woman has accused the Church of knowing Fr Clarence Anderson sexually abused children
• The court says the amount of documented evidence shows a fair trial can be held despite Anderson’s death in 1996

The Diocese of Lismore had applied for a permanent stay of proceedings, but that has been refused by Justice Stephen Campbell.

Solicitor Sam Tierney, who is representing the alleged victim, said it was a significant outcome.

“The issue of permanent staying of these types of civil matters is becoming an increasingly common method which is being used by defendants to defeat these types of claims,” he said.

“In this particular case, the judge has found that the circumstances where a…