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. 

26Sep 2017

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…

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26Sep 2017

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…

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29Jun 2017

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…

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23Mar 2017

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…

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07Feb 2017

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…

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23Jan 2017

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…

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25Nov 2016

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…

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31Aug 2016

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.

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27Jul 2016

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,…

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20May 2016

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…

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