News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

cardinal-george-pell-main_article_image.jpg
AGF s.r.l./REX
World News

Cardinal Pell: Bishop Mulkearns deceived me over notorious paedophile Ridsdale

by Aaron James

Cardinal George Pell, the Holy See's Secretariat for the Economy, told an Australian royal commission into institutional responses to child abuse that the former Bishop of Ballarat Ronald Mulkearns never properly explained why Gerald Ridsdale was moved from parish to parish six times in the 1970s and 1980s.

Gerald Risdale committed more than 130 offences against 54 children while working as a chaplain St Alipius school in the city of Ballarat, Victoria state, between the 1960s and 1980s.

The Cardinal said of Bishop Mulkearn's actions: "I can't nominate another bishop whose actions are so grave and inexplicable.

"His repeated refusal to act is, I think, absolutely extraordinary."

Jeremy Piper/Royal Commission via AP

From 1977 to 1984, Cardinal George Pell - who is not accused of abuse himself - was an adviser to Bishop Ronald Mulkearns.

He told the commission he never knew about Gerald Ridsdale's actions and that he took no responsibility whatsoever for the failing to report him to the police.

Mr Pell also said he had inquired about why Gerald Ridsdale was moved from parish to parish, however, he was never told it was because of his paedophilia.

Abuse survivors who've travelled to Rome to watch Cardinal Pell give evidence via video-link to the royal commission audibly gasped when he said of Ridsdale's abuse: "It's a sad story and it wasn't of much interest to me.

"The suffering of course was real and I regret that but I had no reason to turn my mind to the extent of the evils that Ridsdale had perpetrated."

Cardinal George Pell is expected to give evidence again until Wednesday or Thursday, and the royal commission continues.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate