The Royal Commission held a public hearing in Sydney from Monday 10 to Wednesday 26 March 2014.

The public hearing inquired into the response of the Catholic Church to the complaint made by John Ellis under Towards Healing.

The scope and purpose of the public hearing was to inquire into:

1. The response of the Catholic Church to:
   
   1. the complaint of child sexual abuse made by John Ellis under Towards Healing
   2. the review of the Towards Healing process in relation to John Ellis’ complaint
   3. the civil action commenced by John Ellis in relation to his complaint.
2. The hearing will also examine the experience of John Ellis in relation to:
   
   1. the Towards Healing process
   2. the review of the Towards Healing process in relation to his complaint
   3. the civil action commenced by him in relation to his complaint.