PAEDOPHILE priests are expected to testify at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Ballarat later this month.
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The commission will hold two public hearings in Ballarat, with the first beginning at the Magistrates Court on Tuesday, May 19 and the second still to be confirmed.
Due to limited space within the court, the hearings will also be streamed live to a makeshift public gallery at the Ballarat Steakhouse next door.
The first hearing will focus on child sex abuse associated with St Joseph’s Home, St Alipius Primary School, St Alipius Parish, St Patrick’s College and St Patrick’s Christian Brothers Boys Primary School, and any other institutions run by Catholic Church authorities in Ballarat.
The commission said the purpose of the sitting was also to hear “from Catholic clergy who have been convicted of child sexual offences which took place within the geographical bounds of the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat”.
More information about the witnesses will be announced on the first morning of the hearing.
Individuals or institutions who wish to appear before the commission can fill out an application form available on the commission’s website at www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au.
The relevant form is entitled “Application for Leave to Appear at the Royal Commission” and can be found under the “Public hearings” section.
Applications must be accompanied by a submission about why the applicant has a substantial and direct interest in appearing.
The application form and submission need to be lodged by Tuesday, May 12 by either mail to GPO Box 5283, Sydney NSW 2001, or by email to solicitor@childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au.