A special New South Wales inquiry into child abuse in the Catholic Church is underway in Newcastle’s Supreme Court.
It is the fist day of the special commission which was announced by Premier Barry O’Farrell last November following allegations by Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox of sex abuse cover-ups in the Maitland- Newcastle Catholic diocese.
Mr Fox will be the first the take the witness stand today.
Mr Fox spoke to media as he entered the inquiry this morning, saying “It’s all about getting the truth, that’s what the commission is all about, disappointed that not everyone is able to give evidence but I’m sure a far bit of it will be brought to the surface hopefully through this process.”
The inquiry will investigate how the church handled complaints about former priests Denis McAlinden and Jim Fletcher, who are both now deceased.
It’ll also look at the circumstances in which Inspector Fox was asked to stop investigating sex abuse in the diocese.
Evidence to be presented at the inquiry shows that Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox’s office was searched while he was on leave.
Counsel assisting the inquiry, Julia Lonergan SC said evidence was also expected to show that Mr Fox pursued investigations that he did not lodge through official police channels.
In 2012 Mr Fox was removed from any investigative role into sexual abuse in the Maitland – Newcastle diocese.
