The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle actively supports, and is firmly committed to assisting the work of both the NSW Special Commission of Inquiry and the national Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Below are news articles or press releases (published by the diocese) that relate to the NSW Special Commission of Inquiry or the national Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Message from Bishop Bill Wright - Lina's Project
As Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle, I have listened to people’s agonising stories of how they were abused as children by clergy, religious, teachers and others in the church. For those children, their ab…
Message from Michael Slattery, Director of Schools - Lina's Project
‘As a community, we have all been affected by the insidious horror of child sexual abuse, and I apologise to the whole community across the Newcastle, Hunter and Manning regions. We will continue in…
Statement from Bishop Bill Wright on Cardinal George Pell
'This morning we learned the news that Victoria Police have charged Cardinal George Pell with historical sex offences. As a community, we must allow the judicial system to do its job, promote due proc…
Media Statement From Bishop Bill Wright
Bishop Bill Wright has confirmed that a priest of the diocese has been charged with historic child sexual offences. The charges related to matters alleged to have occurred in the 1970's. "The prie…
An open letter from Bishop Bill Wright regarding the 50th case study of Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
To the Catholic People of the Maitland–Newcastle diocese. My dear people, As I'm sure you know, the 50th case study of Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse began today…
Diocese launches new Protection and Safety Council
The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has this morning announced the launch of the Diocesan Protection and Safety Council – a new body formed to advise the Bishop. The Diocesan Protection and Sa…
Statement from Bishop Bill Wright in support of Bishop Greg Thompson
Over the past few days the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle has again come under the spotlight of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Case Study #42 has detailed a ne…
A message from Bishop Bill Wright regarding the Royal Commission Case Study 43
Watch a message from Bishop Bill Wright about the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Case Study 43, the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
Statement from Bishop Bill Wright: Diocese supports a Royal Commission Case Study
Today we were officially informed that the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle will be one of the subjects of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse case study #43,…
Statement from Bishop Bill Wright on the trial of David O'Hearn
"Today I am able to confirm and comment on the case of David O'Hearn, a priest of this diocese who has been convicted of multiple sexual abuse offences against teenage boys. O'Hearn has not been in mi…