Marist Brothers 'revoked promotion after abuse complaints' about teacher

The Marist Brothers were forced to revoke the appointment of a Brother as principal of a Newcastle school after widespread complaints about his "inappropriate behaviour", a royal commission has heard.

After a week of evidence, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse hearing into the Hunter region's Catholic Church is now examining the response of the Marist Brothers to allegations of child sexual abuse.

Giving evidence at the commission today, former Marist Brothers provincial, Michael Hill, said he appointed Darcy John O'Sullivan, known as Brother Dominic, principal of St Francis Xavier at Hamilton, previously known as Marist Brothers Hamilton, in 1996.

The commission previously heard that the Marist Brothers had started to receive reports of child sexual abuse involving Brother Dominic from 1994.

The appointment of Brother Dominic as principal of the school had the support of the provincial council, which stated "we see it as a good match between him and that school".

But soon after the announcement, the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Diocese began receiving calls about Brother Dominic's "inappropriate behaviour".

Brother Michael said the then-bishop, Michael Malone, called him to make the concerns clear.

"He had received complaints from several people within hours of the appointment being announced," Brother Michael said.

"Before he finished the sentence, I revoked the appointment."

Earlier this year Brother Dominic pleaded guilty to 12 counts of indecent assault and is expected to be sentenced later this year.

'Misleading' church records hide truth

PHOTO: Marist Brother, Michael Hill, giving evidence to the child abuse royal commission in Newcastle.(Supplied: Royal Commission)

Minutes from a provincial council meeting failed to mention the "inappropriate behaviour", instead saying "Brother Dominic O'Sullivan is unable to go to Hamilton next year because of health reasons".

Brother Michael said he was "surprised to see that", conceding the minutes were "completely wrong".

He was probed on the issue by commission chair, Justice Peter McClellan, and counsel assisting the commission, Stephen Free:

McClellan: It looks like someone is trying to hide the truth.

Hill: It certainly appears that way.

Free: Were you, Brother Michael, trying to conceal the true reason in the minutes?

Hill: No, not directly.

The Marist Brothers later tried to move Brother Dominic to other schools in Australia but minutes from a provincial council meeting reveal there was difficulty finding a school willing to accept him.

"Council considered the possibility of Brother Dominic going to Dundas or Ashgrove however the principals of these two schools express some reservation about the appointment."

The commission hearing is expected to hear from abuse survivors this afternoon before wrapping up later this week.