Gasps echoed through the public gallery of a Hunter sexual abuse inquiry this morning as former Bishop of Maitland and Newcastle, Michael Malone, made a fumbling joke that he probably should have destroyed secret documents on paedophile priests.
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Into his third day of cross-examination, Bishop Malone was being question about a Canon Law requirement that bishops destroy the secret documents of priests who had been found guilty of immoral criminal activity after their death.
"I didn't destroy any documents during my time as bishop, perhaps I should have," said the bishop whose comment stirred laughter from the full public gallery.
When counsel assisting the inquiry, Julia Lonergan SC, questioned the bishop whether that was his genuine belief or he was making a joke he said: "I wasn't saying I should have ... Only in so far as we wouldn't be in this room now had I destroyed them."
The gallery responded with shocked gasps and sighs.
The inquiry continues.
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