A senior serving police officer, Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox, claims the Catholic church covered up crimes of paedophile priests, silenced investigations and destroyed crucial evidence to avoid prosecutions in the Newcastle-Hunter area of New South Wales.
• Justin Welby to be next archbishop of Canterbury
• Monday, SMH: PM announces abuse inquiry
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced a Royal Commission to investigate decades of child abuse in churches, schools and foster homes.
Ms Gillard said the commission would address “institutional responses to child abuse” – the instances of abuse as well as the manner in which they have been dealt – by a range of institutions.
She said she would work in coming weeks with Attorney General Nicola Roxon to define the terms of reference, but said she imagined the investigation would go back decades.
The announcement follows calls by the Greens and some Labor backbenchers for a Royal Commission into abuse in the Catholic Church, after it was alleged by a senior policeman that investigations were hindered and in some cases compromised by church officials.
But Ms Gillard said the inquiry would not be limited to the Catholic Church but would include churches, schools, foster homes, state services, police forces, sand the not-for-profit sector.
“The allegations that have come to light recently about child sexual abuse have been heartbreaking,” Ms Gillard said.
“These are insidious, evil acts to which no child should be subject. The individuals concerned deserve the most thorough of investigations into the wrongs that have been committed against them.
“They deserve to have their voices heard and their claims investigated. I believe a Royal Commission is the best way to do this.”
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott had earlier given his backing to a Royal Commission, provided it was not limited to the Catholic Church.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/pm-announces-abuse-inquiry-20121112-29862.html#ixzz2BzhplLFW
