A guilty Archbishop

[JimC]

From our ABC website:

The most senior Catholic to be charged with concealing child sexual abuse — Adelaide's Archbishop Philip Wilson — has been found guilty by a New South Wales court, in a landmark ruling.

Key points:

Wilson concealed child sexual abuse by a fellow priest in the 1970s
He was assistant parish priest in East Maitland, NSW, at the time
He could face up to two years in jail
The 67-year-old was accused of covering up abuse by priest Jim Fletcher in the NSW Hunter region in the 1970s.

During his trial, the archbishop said no one had ever come forward to tell him of allegations of child sex abuse during his 40 years as a clergyman.

However, Magistrate Robert Stone cast that claim aside in a ruling that could have ramifications in courts around the country.

Speaking outside court, abuse survivor Peter Gogarty said the verdict was "one of the most significant days in criminal law in Australian history".

"I think this will now open the doors for other jurisdictions to start looking at trying to prosecute people who deliberately looked after their institution and, literally, threw children to the wolves," Mr Gogarty said.

"On behalf of all of the victims — who have been abused in this country and elsewhere — I just want to say what an enormous relief it is that the people who let this happen are finally being brought to account."

There were gasps from those in the packed courtroom when Magistrate Stone handed down the verdict.

People were crying and shaking hands after the hearing.

Now if we can only take Pell down...

[Hermit]

What's the bet he won't see a single day in gaol?

[JimC]

You may well be right, but a conviction is still a victory...

[Hermit]

You may well be right, but a conviction is still a victory...

Yes, it is.

Still, I'd like him to rot in a cell. Not out of vengeance. Just to discourage the others.

[Brian Peacock]

If he is pure of heart, and confesses and repents his sins, Jesus will forgive him. Jesus is cool like that.

[Sean Hayden]

Being pure of heart is out of fashion. It's just the words that matter today.



--me, I'm a fire and brimstone guy

[cronus]

Normal for Roman Catholics. They've never read The Bible, it's in Latin.

[laklak]

Strangle Prince Charlie with his entrails!

[Svartalf]

Normal for Roman Catholics. They've never read The Bible, it's in Latin.

I've read the KJW version of the New Testament, and I own a French Bible for reference purposes, thjough I've never found the courage to read it all in subsequent sittings.

[Svartalf]

Strangle Prince Charlie with his entrails!

slick willie will make a better king anyway.

[Sean Hayden]

Normal for Roman Catholics. They've never read The Bible, it's in Latin.

It doesn't matter if you read the Bible. in fact, if you're a Christian you probably shouldn't read it. I know what it says and what it meant to say, but could you figure it out? It's better to not even try, you'll just get it wrong.

[Brian Peacock]

If the Bible was enough for Catholics they wouldn't need the Catechism to tell them what it really means and what they should think. The Catechism is the Holy See's version of the Islamic Ta'wil and Tafsir, just with fewer bullets and not as many homemade explosives.

[JimC]

Just like nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition, nobody expected this!

[mistermack]

In this country we have the offences of assisting an offender, and obstructing the course of justice.

These should be plenty of ammunition, for prosecuting the superiors of a paedophile priest who kept the information from the police and moved the offender on to a new parish.

I'm sure they have similar offences in Ireland, but of course, the Catholic Church has tentacles everywhere in the corridors of power over there.
Australia seems to have been a bit like that too, in the past.

[JimC]

In this country we have the offences of assisting an offender, and obstructing the course of justice.

These should be plenty of ammunition, for prosecuting the superiors of a paedophile priest who kept the information from the police and moved the offender on to a new parish.

I'm sure they have similar offences in Ireland, but of course, the Catholic Church has tentacles everywhere in the corridors of power over there.
Australia seems to have been a bit like that too, in the past.

We certainly were, very much so. But there has been an explosion of media interest, plus a big Royal Commission in the last few years. The times they are a changin'...