‘‘As you may be aware, the NSW Police Force has been actively investigating allegations that sexual assaults committed by a former Catholic priest, in the Hunter Region, were concealed by three senior members of the Catholic church,’’ he said.
‘‘I am advised that Strike Force Lantle is preparing a brief of evidence to submit to the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions for his review and consideration as to whether charges should be laid. While I cannot comment further, I understand that the investigations into this matter have been exhaustive.’’
In July the Newcastle Herald reported that Strike Force Lantle’s investigations included the roles played by three senior clergy in internal church moves against McAlinden between 1993 and 1995, including an attempted ‘‘speedy’’ secret defrocking in October 2005.
Police interviewed general secretary of the Australian Bishops Conference Father Brian Lucas and former Maitland-Newcastle Bishop Michael Malone.
Archbishop Philip Wilson of Adelaide, a former Maitland-Newcastle priest, formally declined to be interviewed.
The church failed to report the matter to authorities until 2003, after victims notified the police and were paid compensation.
McAlinden died in a church-run facility in Western Australia in 2005 without being charged. He is believed to have had hundreds of victims, girls aged between four and 12.
Mr Shoebridge said Mr Gallacher’s letter was ‘‘the first formal government confirmation that three senior clergy in the Catholic church are facing the serious prospect of charges for concealing the crimes of a Catholic priest’’.
Individual prosecutions did not address the broader issue of church accountability, he said.