Tag Archives: Margaret Cunneen

The NSW Enquiry Revives Hearings in Sydney (Or: Stool Pigeon)

In a surprise move, the NSW government enquiry into clerical child sexual abuse in the Newcastle region has reconvened in Sydney to hear more detail on the previous evidence of Brian Lucas, the Secretary of the Australian (Catholic) Bishops’ Conference. … Continue reading

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Report of NSW Enquiry Delayed (Or: Forgeddaboud It)

Ms. Cunneen checks her to-do list The NSW Government enquiry has extended the deadline for Commissioner Margaret Cunneen to present her report. It was originally due by the end of September, but has now been delayed to sometime next year, … Continue reading

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NSW Enquiry, Session 2, Week 4, Day 2 (Or: A Flood of Tears)

Image: Poignant wall graffiti When the NSW government enquiry into child sexual abuse and its cover-up in the Newcastle-Maitland Catholic church diocese heard evidence from Fr. Fletcher victim, “AH”, a strange thing happened. The assembled public, media representatives, lawyers and … Continue reading

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The NSW Enquiry Winds Up (Or: How Many Victims Make A Lot?)

The NSW government enquiry into child sexual abuse by priests in the Newcastle-Maitland diocese had a non-hearing day today. The rest of the week is largely taken up by clergy, Hart, Searle, Lucas and Harrigan. Friday should see priest, Burston … Continue reading

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NSW Enquiry, Session 2, Week 3, Day 5 (Or: Poor Old Steptoe)

NSW enquiry head, Ms. Cunneen, so far has only considered legal action against Detective Chief Inspector Fox (who triggered the enquiry) for tweeting, and victims who have protested outside the court. Action against Mr. Fox was eventually dropped, while the … Continue reading

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NSW Enquiry Session 2 Week 3 Day 4 (Or: Where Did I Leave My Keys?)

Caption: Burston (center) leaving the enquiry (source: http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2013/s3805435.htm) “He has given his life to the Catholic Church”: Commissioner Cunneen., concerning William Burston (pictured above), second-in-charge of the Newcastle-Maitland diocese under former Bishops Clarke and Malone. Ms. Cunneen claimed that Burston had … Continue reading

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NSW Enquiry, Session 2, Week 3, Day 2 (Or: Give The Poor Bloke a Break)

Image: Many thanks to Andy from ShatterOurSilence (http://shatteroursilence.blogspot.com.au/) Poor Bishop Michael Malone has really had a hard time of it because of the paedophile priests under his command in the Newcastle-Maitland diocese. When he took early retirement a couple of … Continue reading

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NSW Enquiry, Session 2, Week 3 (Or: Try Proving Otherwise)

This blog has previously argued that victims, and not just lawyers, should be able to interrogate church officials directly. Today, the NSW enquiry made Australian history when it allowed victim, Peter Gogarty, to directly question former Newcastle-Maitland Bishop, Michael Malone … Continue reading

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More Malone Skeletons (Or: Oops!)

Yesterday, former Newcastle-Maitland Catholic Bishop, Michael Malone, revealed that he had been given a briefcase containing secret files on abusive clergy in his diocese, when he took over from his predecessor. Today, he admitted that, in sixteen years in the … Continue reading

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NSW Enquiry: Session 2 Week 2 Day 2 (Or: Nobody Needs to Know)

Lawyers for the Catholic Church at the NSW government enquiry into clerical child sexual abuse in the Newcastle-Maitland diocese, appear to have been emboldened by the recent decision of the enquiry Commissioner, Margaret Cunneen, to hold “in-camera” hearings for Adelaide … Continue reading

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