AUSTRALIA
ABC News
By Nicole Chettle
Catholic church officials were strongly opposed to the ordination of a priest who was later accused of molesting children and who was repeatedly transferred despite concerns from clergy and parishioners, a royal commission has heard.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is investigating how Catholic church authorities at Parramatta, in Sydney’s west, and Armidale, in northern New South Wales, handled allegations of abuse by the former priest John Joseph Farrell.
In her opening statement, counsel assisting the inquiry Gail Furness SC said that, at one point, Farrell told a Bishop there were incidents that could have “brought him 14 years apiece”, but that he was not questioned about that.
Ms Furness said concerns were raised about Farrell from the beginning of his career.
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