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Submissions of Counsel Assisting the Royal Commission PDF

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ROYAL COMMISSION INTO INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSES TO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AT THE BALLARAT MAGISTRATES COURT AND COUNTY COURT OF VICTORIA COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Royal Commissions Act 1902 CASE STUDY 28 CATHOLIC CHURCH AUTHORITIES IN BALLARAT SUBMISSIONS OF COUNSEL ASSISTING THE ROYAL COMMISSION Gail B Furness SC Angus Stewart SC Stephen Free 10 June 2016 Case Study 28: Submissions of Senior Counsel Assisting, 10 June 2016 SUBM.0028.001.0001 Table of Contents Part 1 Introduction and evidence in Case Study 28 ................................................................... 11 1.1 About the public hearing ...................................................................................................... 11 1.2 What this case study considers ............................................................................................. 11 Part one of the public hearing, May 2015 .................................................................................... 12 Part two of the public hearing, December 2015 ........................................................................... 12 Part three of the public hearing, February 2016 .......................................................................... 13 1.3 Evidence in the case study .................................................................................................... 14 Documentary evidence ................................................................................................................. 14 Requests for the recalling of witnesses for questioning ............................................................... 14 Anticipated adverse evidence ....................................................................................................... 15 Application of the rule in Browne v Dunne ................................................................................... 16 Request for the tender of additional documents or the calling of additional witnesses ............. 17 Evidence in witness statements provided to the Royal Commission ........................................... 19 Private Hearings ............................................................................................................................ 19 Documents created during investigations conducted by or for Catholic Church Insurances....... 20 Part 2 The Congregation of the Christian Brothers .................................................................... 25 2.1 St Patrick’s Province .............................................................................................................. 25 2.2 Decision-making in St Patrick’s Province .............................................................................. 26 Provincial or Province Leader ....................................................................................................... 26 Province Leadership Team or Provincial Council .......................................................................... 26 Visitations and Visitation Reports ................................................................................................. 27 Superior of community ................................................................................................................. 28 Relationship with the Diocese of Ballarat ..................................................................................... 29 2.3 Prior knowledge of Brother Fitzgerald and Brother BWX ..................................................... 30 Brother Gerald Leo Fitzgerald ....................................................................................................... 30 Brother BWX ................................................................................................................................. 32 2.4 St Patrick’s community, Ballarat ........................................................................................... 37 Appointment of abusing brothers to Ballarat between 1962 and 1975 ....................................... 37 Rumours, gossip and innuendo .................................................................................................... 40 Multiple abusers ........................................................................................................................... 42 2.5 Brother BWX is transferred from Ballarat ............................................................................. 44 Father Madden speaks to the Chaplain of St Patrick’s College .................................................... 45 Complaint from Peter Farley, lay teacher at St Patrick’s .............................................................. 46 Report to Bishop Mulkearns ......................................................................................................... 47 Case Study 28: Submissions of Senior Counsel Assisting, 10 June 2016 SUBM.0028.001.0002 Knowledge of Brother BWX’s transfer to St Kevin’s College ........................................................ 48 2.6 Stephen Farrell leaves Ballarat and the Christian Brothers .................................................. 49 Complaint to Brother Nangle from the father of a boy ................................................................ 49 Evidence of CCD and CCE .............................................................................................................. 52 Evidence of Stephen Farrell .......................................................................................................... 53 Ronald Conway, psychologist ....................................................................................................... 55 Knowledge of Diocesan clergy ...................................................................................................... 57 2.7 Brother Fitzgerald’s difficulties ............................................................................................. 58 Kissing boys ................................................................................................................................... 58 Supervision of Brother Fitzgerald ................................................................................................. 60 Knowledge of Diocesan clergy ...................................................................................................... 63 2.8 Complaints about Edward Dowlan ....................................................................................... 66 Student Representative Council ................................................................................................... 66 Complaint of corporal punishment administered too severely .................................................... 70 Complaint to Maurice Holloway, teacher at St Patrick’s College ................................................. 72 Evidence of Martinus Claassen ..................................................................................................... 73 Evidence of Paul Tatchell .............................................................................................................. 75 Brother Scott, St Paul’s Technical School Ballarat ........................................................................ 77 2.9 Father Pell’s knowledge of Dowlan ....................................................................................... 78 Evidence of Cardinal Pell ............................................................................................................... 78 Evidence of Mr BWF ...................................................................................................................... 82 Evidence of Timothy Green ........................................................................................................... 88 2.10 Evidence of Brother Paul Nangle, Superior of St Patrick’s .................................................... 91 Interview with Howard Harrison in 2014 ...................................................................................... 92 Statement to police about Farrell ................................................................................................. 93 Response to article in The Age about Dowlan .............................................................................. 95 Brother Nangle’s knowledge of Dowlan at St Patrick’s College .................................................... 97 2.11 Edward Dowlan – knowledge and movement after Ballarat ................................................ 99 Evidence of Rob McBride ............................................................................................................ 100 Cathedral College, East Melbourne ............................................................................................ 101 St Mary’s College, Geelong ......................................................................................................... 103 St Vincent’s Special School, South Melbourne ........................................................................... 105 Catholic Regional College, Geelong ............................................................................................ 110 Growing innuendo and rumours but no ‘formal complaint’ ...................................................... 112 Police investigations.................................................................................................................... 115 3 Case Study 28: Submissions of Counsel Assisting, 10 June 2016 SUBM.0028.001.0003 Private investigator ..................................................................................................................... 116 2.12 Brother BWX – knowledge and movement after 1974 ....................................................... 118 2.13 CCJ (a Christian Brother) ..................................................................................................... 120 Ballarat ........................................................................................................................................ 123 Kearney College, Holy Spirit Province, Western Australia .......................................................... 124 Art Therapy ................................................................................................................................. 127 Encompass .................................................................................................................................. 128 Part 3 Structure of the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat ................................................................ 130 3.1 Role of the Bishop of Ballarat ............................................................................................. 130 3.2 Office of the Bishop ............................................................................................................ 130 Vicar General ............................................................................................................................... 130 Bishop’s secretary ....................................................................................................................... 131 3.3 College of Consultors .......................................................................................................... 133 3.4 Episcopal Vicar of Education ............................................................................................... 133 Part 4 Monsignor John Day .................................................................................................... 136 4.1 Overview of appointments ................................................................................................. 136 4.2 Mildura parish ..................................................................................................................... 136 Relationship between Monsignor Day, Detective Sergeant Barritt and Joe Kearney ................ 136 Complaints to John Howden, teacher at St Joseph’s College ..................................................... 137 4.3 Detective Senior Constable Ryan commences investigations ............................................ 139 Structure of Victoria Police in the early 1970s ........................................................................... 140 Sectarianism in Victoria Police .................................................................................................... 140 Detective Senior Constable Ryan informs the district Superintendent ...................................... 141 Monsignor Day interviewed by police ........................................................................................ 142 Correspondence with Bishop Mulkearns .................................................................................... 144 4.4 Chief Commissioner of Police informed ............................................................................. 145 Detective Senior Constable Ryan obtains further statements ................................................... 145 Report to Chief Commissioner .................................................................................................... 146 Investigations by Chief Superintendent O’Connor and Detective Chief Inspector Child ........... 148 4.5 Knowledge of priests in Mildura ......................................................................................... 150 Knowledge of Father Peter Taffe, assistant priest in Mildura .................................................... 150 Knowledge of Father Dan Torpy, assistant priest in Mildura ..................................................... 152 Knowledge of Father Gerald Baldock, trainee priest from Mildura, and Paul David Ryan ......... 154 Knowledge of Paul David Ryan ................................................................................................... 154 4.6 Monsignor Day resigns ........................................................................................................ 156 4 Case Study 28: Submissions of Counsel Assisting, 10 June 2016 SUBM.0028.001.0004 Victoria Police visit Bishop Mulkearns ........................................................................................ 157 Response to Monsignor Day’s resignation in Mildura parish ..................................................... 158 4.7 Response of Victoria Police after Monsignor Day’s resignation ......................................... 159 Question without notice ............................................................................................................. 162 Victoria Police obtains legal advice ............................................................................................. 164 Decision to transfer Denis Ryan and Jim Barritt ......................................................................... 165 Proceedings against Detective Sergeant Barritt ......................................................................... 168 Statement of John O’Connor, 9 October 2006 ........................................................................... 169 Evidence of former Chief Commissioner, Mick Miller ................................................................ 170 4.8 Monsignor Day appointed parish priest of Timboon .......................................................... 172 Bishop Mulkearns informed of the advice of the Solicitor-General ........................................... 172 Article in the Melbourne Observer .............................................................................................. 172 Monsignor Day appointed parish priest of Timboon .................................................................. 175 Part 5 Gerald Ridsdale ............................................................................................................ 177 5.1 List of appointments ........................................................................................................... 177 5.2 Seminary ............................................................................................................................. 179 5.3 1962 until 1969 ................................................................................................................... 180 Ballarat North parish ................................................................................................................... 180 Knowledge of Bishop Mulkearns ................................................................................................ 180 Mildura and Swan Hill parishes ................................................................................................... 181 5.4 Warrnambool parish ........................................................................................................... 182 Evidence of Mr BWA ................................................................................................................... 184 Evidence of Mr BPL ..................................................................................................................... 185 5.5 Ballarat East parish .............................................................................................................. 190 5.6 Apollo Bay parish ................................................................................................................ 191 5.7 Inglewood parish ................................................................................................................. 192 Victoria police visit Bishop Mulkearns ........................................................................................ 192 Treatment with Father Peter Evans ............................................................................................ 195 Appointment as temporary parish priest of Bungaree ............................................................... 197 Other knowledge of the circumstances surrounding Ridsdale’s departure from Inglewood .... 199 5.8 Edenhope parish ................................................................................................................. 200 Evidence of Sister Kate McGrath ................................................................................................ 201 5.9 National Pastoral Institute, Elsternwick .............................................................................. 201 Bishop keeping an eye on Ridsdale ............................................................................................. 202 ‘Edenhope situation’ ................................................................................................................... 203 5 Case Study 28: Submissions of Counsel Assisting, 10 June 2016 SUBM.0028.001.0005 5.10 Mortlake parish ................................................................................................................... 205 Evidence of Mrs BAI – phone call to Father Finnigan ................................................................. 206 Three or four people speak to Father Finnigan .......................................................................... 208 Approach to Monsignor Fiscalini ................................................................................................ 211 Paul Levey is sent to live in the Mortlake presbytery with Ridsdale .......................................... 213 Knowledge of the boy living in the presbytery ........................................................................... 215 Appointment to see Bishop Mulkearns ...................................................................................... 218 Sisters of Mercy in Mortlake ....................................................................................................... 219 Mortlake parents visit Bishop Mulkearns ................................................................................... 220 Knowledge of Father Henry Nolan .............................................................................................. 223 5.11 Ridsdale is removed from Mortlake parish ......................................................................... 227 Father Dennehy replaces Ridsdale at Mortlake .......................................................................... 228 Response to Mortlake parish ...................................................................................................... 230 Evidence from interviews with Bishop Mulkearns ..................................................................... 232 Treatment – Father Augustine Watson ...................................................................................... 234 5.12 Catholic Enquiry Centre, Sydney ......................................................................................... 236 Bishop Mulkearns meets with Father FitzPatrick ....................................................................... 236 Supervision .................................................................................................................................. 237 A problem arises ......................................................................................................................... 239 Ridsdale asked to leave the CEC ................................................................................................. 241 Parish work in the Archdiocese of Sydney .................................................................................. 243 5.13 Horsham parish ................................................................................................................... 244 Knowledge of Father Frank Madden, parish priest of Horsham ................................................. 245 Knowledge and response of Father Lawrence O’Toole .............................................................. 247 Knowledge of Father Eric Bryant ................................................................................................ 248 Mrs BAE complains ..................................................................................................................... 248 Complaint of BAL......................................................................................................................... 250 Ridsdale resigns from the parish of Horsham ............................................................................. 251 5.14 White Cliffs, NSW ................................................................................................................ 252 Bishop Mulkearns obtains legal advice ....................................................................................... 252 Complaint from White Cliffs ....................................................................................................... 254 5.15 Treatment in Jemez Springs, New Mexico .......................................................................... 255 Correspondence with the Servants of the Paraclete .................................................................. 255 Ridsdale arrives in New Mexico .................................................................................................. 257 Knowledge in the Diocese of Ridsdale’s treatment .................................................................... 258 6 Case Study 28: Submissions of Counsel Assisting, 10 June 2016 SUBM.0028.001.0006 5.16 Return to Australia .............................................................................................................. 260 Victoria police investigations ...................................................................................................... 260 Court process .............................................................................................................................. 261 Ridsdale is dismissed from the priesthood ................................................................................. 263 Victoria Police investigations – Operation Arcadia ..................................................................... 264 5.17 Specific allegations relating to Cardinal Pell ....................................................................... 265 Evidence of BWE ......................................................................................................................... 265 Evidence of David Ridsdale ......................................................................................................... 268 Evidence of Cardinal Pell ............................................................................................................. 270 Evidence of Ms Patricia Ridsdale and Mrs Bernadette Lukatis ................................................... 272 Evidence of Father John Walshe ................................................................................................. 273 Part 6 Role of the College of Consultors ................................................................................. 278 6.1 Role and Function of the College of Consultors .................................................................. 278 Canon law provisions .................................................................................................................. 278 Evidence of members of the Consultors in the Diocese of Ballarat ........................................... 279 Taking of minutes ........................................................................................................................ 283 Confidentiality of meetings of the College of Consultors ........................................................... 284 6.2 Monsignor Day – decision-making process ........................................................................ 286 Consultors meeting on 14 March 1972....................................................................................... 286 Consultors meeting on 15 June 1972 - Geraldton proposal ....................................................... 288 Consultors meeting on 19 September 1972 – Melbourne Observer.......................................... 288 Consultors meeting on 12 January 1973..................................................................................... 290 6.3 Gerald Ridsdale – decision-making process ........................................................................ 292 Early appointments ..................................................................................................................... 293 Consultors meeting in early 1975 – appointment to Inglewood ................................................ 294 Consultors meeting on 16 January 1976 – removal from Inglewood ......................................... 296 Consultors meeting on 18 March 1976 – temporary appointment to Edenhope ...................... 300 Consultors meeting on 19 July 1977 – formal appointment to Edenhope ................................. 301 Consultors meetings 1978 - 1980 (study leave) .......................................................................... 304 Consultors meeting on 16 January 1981 – appointment to Mortlake ....................................... 305 Consultors meeting on 14 September 1982 ............................................................................... 307 Consultors meeting on 30 September 1982 – appointment to Catholic Enquiry Centre ........... 313 Consultors meeting on 8 August 1983 ........................................................................................ 314 Consultors meeting on 23 January 1986 – appointment to Horsham ........................................ 315 Consultors meeting on June 1988 – removal from Horsham ..................................................... 316 7 Case Study 28: Submissions of Counsel Assisting, 10 June 2016 SUBM.0028.001.0007 6.4 Evidence of Bishop Finnigan ............................................................................................... 318 Part 7 Paul David Ryan ........................................................................................................... 321 7.1 Seminary and candidacy for priesthood ............................................................................. 321 Adelaide seminary....................................................................................................................... 321 Candidacy for priesthood in the Diocese of Ballarat and seminary ............................................ 321 7.2 Ballarat North parish and ordination .................................................................................. 322 Evidence of Mrs Mary Donoghue ............................................................................................... 322 Gossip about Ryan’s sexual activity ............................................................................................ 324 Complaint to Brother John Keane ............................................................................................... 325 Homosexual activity and treatment ........................................................................................... 325 7.3 Treatment in the United States .......................................................................................... 327 Consultors meeting on 31 May 1977 .......................................................................................... 327 Treatment with Father John Harvey and Doctor Kinnane, Washington D.C. ............................. 328 Knowledge of Bishop Brian Finnigan .......................................................................................... 329 7.4 Virginia Beach parish, Diocese of Richmond ....................................................................... 329 Talk about ‘incidents’ in Ballarat North ...................................................................................... 329 Further talk about ‘incidents’ in Ballarat North .......................................................................... 331 Paul David Ryan returns to Australia at the end of 1978 ........................................................... 334 Paul David Ryan returns to the United States ............................................................................ 336 Complaints in Virginia Beach parish ............................................................................................ 336 Paul David Ryan leaves the United States .................................................................................. 339 7.5 Warrnambool parish ........................................................................................................... 340 Consultors meeting on 13 May 1980 .......................................................................................... 340 Sexual activity at Warrnambool parish ....................................................................................... 340 Knowledge of Bishop Brian Finnigan .......................................................................................... 343 7.6 Study in the United States .................................................................................................. 343 Paul David Ryan’s evidence ......................................................................................................... 344 Consultors meeting on 18 January 1985..................................................................................... 344 Consultors meeting on 24 September 1985 ............................................................................... 347 Consultors meeting on 19 December 1985 ................................................................................ 349 7.7 Terang parish ...................................................................................................................... 350 Consultors meetings in January 1986 ......................................................................................... 350 Sexual activity at Terang parish .................................................................................................. 351 7.8 Penshurst parish ................................................................................................................. 352 Consultors meeting on 30 December 1988 ................................................................................ 352 8 Case Study 28: Submissions of Counsel Assisting, 10 June 2016 SUBM.0028.001.0008 Complaint of BWJ and her mother ............................................................................................. 352 Consultors meeting on 19 March 1991 – vacancy at Penshurst ................................................. 356 Child sexual abuse at Penshurst ................................................................................................. 358 7.9 Ararat parish – supply work ................................................................................................ 358 Consultors meeting on 7 May 1991 ............................................................................................ 361 Evidence of Helen Watson .......................................................................................................... 362 7.10 Treatment in the United States and Rome ......................................................................... 363 Complaint of accused child-care worker’s parents ..................................................................... 363 7.11 Ararat parish ....................................................................................................................... 365 Consultors meeting on 19 December 1991 ................................................................................ 365 Trial of child-care worker – allegation against Paul David Ryan ................................................. 367 Treatment with Father Daniel Torpy .......................................................................................... 369 7.12 Removal from Diocesan placements .................................................................................. 372 Consultors meeting on 1 December 1992 .................................................................................. 372 7.13 Paul David Ryan leaves ministry ......................................................................................... 374 Evidence of Mr BPD .................................................................................................................... 374 Consultors meeting on 8 June 1993 ............................................................................................ 375 Laicization process ...................................................................................................................... 375 Part 8 BPB .............................................................................................................................. 377 8.1 Complaint at a parish .......................................................................................................... 377 Father Murphy visits BPB ............................................................................................................ 378 8.2 Removal from the parish .................................................................................................... 379 Consultors meeting of 26 July 1989 ............................................................................................ 379 8.3 Treatment with Father Torpy .............................................................................................. 382 The documentary evidence ........................................................................................................ 382 Mr Torpy’s private hearing evidence .......................................................................................... 384 Mr Torpy’s statement to the Royal Commission ........................................................................ 388 Submissions in relation to Mr Torpy’s treatment of BPB ........................................................... 389 8.4 Another parish .................................................................................................................... 392 Consultors meeting of 20 March 1990 ....................................................................................... 392 Father Eric Bryant, parish priest ................................................................................................. 393 Complaint about BPB .................................................................................................................. 395 8.5 Removal from that parish and ministry .............................................................................. 396 Consultors meeting of 15 September 1992 ................................................................................ 396 Consultors meeting of 1 December 1992 ................................................................................... 396 9 Case Study 28: Submissions of Counsel Assisting, 10 June 2016 SUBM.0028.001.0009 Discussion on BPB’s future .......................................................................................................... 397 Rumours about BPB and police investigations ........................................................................... 398 BPB’s priestly faculties are removed .......................................................................................... 398 Complaint through Father BPH ................................................................................................... 399 8.6 Dispensation from the priesthood ...................................................................................... 400 Formal application ...................................................................................................................... 400 Part 9 Other areas of response ............................................................................................... 402 9.1 Treatment ........................................................................................................................... 402 Choice of treatment providers .................................................................................................... 402 Approach to record keeping ....................................................................................................... 403 9.2 Approach to parishes from which allegations had arisen ................................................... 405 9.3 Reporting to police .............................................................................................................. 409 9.4 Approach to victims seeking compensation ....................................................................... 411 ‘Dysfunctional family’ and barring an ‘open cheque’ mentality ................................................. 411 ‘Easy cash’ ................................................................................................................................... 412 Paul Levey’s writ ......................................................................................................................... 412 ‘Did not want trouble for Church’ ............................................................................................... 414 9.5 Bishop Mulkearns’ apology ................................................................................................. 415 Part 10 Impact of child sexual abuse ........................................................................................ 417 10.1 Short-term impacts ............................................................................................................. 417 The ‘sleeper effect’ ..................................................................................................................... 419 Shame and guilt .......................................................................................................................... 419 10.2 Long-term impacts .............................................................................................................. 421 Difficulties with relationships ..................................................................................................... 422 Post-traumatic symptoms ........................................................................................................... 423 10.3 Disclosure ............................................................................................................................ 425 10.4 Impact on families ............................................................................................................... 426 Fear of becoming an abuser ....................................................................................................... 427 10.5 Suicide and premature death ............................................................................................. 428 10.6 Ballarat community ............................................................................................................. 430 Community response .................................................................................................................. 430 Community impact ...................................................................................................................... 432 Support for survivors .................................................................................................................. 434 Bishop Bird’s evidence ................................................................................................................ 436 10 Case Study 28: Submissions of Counsel Assisting, 10 June 2016 SUBM.0028.001.0010

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