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Royal Commission to inquire into the Catholic Church and Towards Healing

The Royal Commission will hold a public hearing in Sydney commencing Monday 10 March 2014 into 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.

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.

Royal Commission CEO Janette Dines said this hearing will be the second case study examining the application of Towards Healing.

“This hearing will focus on the experiences of Mr Ellis whose claim of child sexual abuse, against a priest within the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, was dealt with through the Towards Healing process and in civil litigation.

“This hearing will be an opportunity for the Royal Commission to examine the response of the Catholic Church to Mr Ellis’ claim, including the application of Towards Healing and the circumstances in which the Catholic Church raised what is commonly referred to as the ‘Ellis defence’,” Ms Dines said.

Any person or institution who believes that they have a direct and substantial interest in the Scope and Purpose of the public hearing is invited to lodge a written application for leave to appear at the public hearing by Wednesday 26 February 2014.

Applications for leave to appear should be made using the form available on the Royal Commission website entitled ‘Application for Leave to Appear at the Royal Commission’ and include a short submission setting out the basis on which it is said the applicant has a substantial and direct interest in appearing.

The form and the submission should be lodged with the Royal Commission via:

For more information on lodging your submission call 02 8282 3824 or email solicitor@childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au.

The public hearing will be streamed live via webcast.