http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-10/police-strikeforce-make-clergy-abuse-arres...83yo priest charged with child sex offences
Posted Thu Jan 10, 2013 4:56pm AEDT
MAP: Penrith 2750
Police from a clergy abuse strike force in New South Wales have made another arrest, charging an 83-year old Catholic priest with child sex offences.
Officers say the priest sexually abused two teenage boys at a Newcastle school more than 50 years ago.
The priest was arrested at Penrith in Sydney's west and charged with eight counts of indecent assault with a child under 16 years.
Police from Strike Force Georgiana, based south of Newcastle, had been investigating the man for some time.
The alleged offences happened at a school in the Newcastle suburb of Hamilton in the 1960s.
The man, from Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains, is due to face Newcastle Local Court next month.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-10-18/former-priest-arrested-over-child-sex-alle...Former priest charged with child sex offences
A former Catholic priest has been charged with 25 child sex offences allegedly involving three girls in New South Wales.
The 59-year-old was arrested at a home in Armidale in the state's north this morning.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested as part of Strike Force Glenroe, formed in July to investigate allegations aired by the ABC's Four Corners program.
Detectives questioned him at Armidale Police Station this morning.
Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec told a news conference that the priest would be charged with 25 offences relating to three girls in the 1970s and 1980s.
He said the charges included indecent assault and sexual intercourse without consent.
The priest appeared in Armidale Local Court and was remanded in custody to appear again next month.
Detective Superintendent Kerlatec said the alleged victims had expressed their relief over his arrest.
"I think it was a sense of relief in respect that police were able to firstly listen to what they had to say, investigate the allegations they've raised and take the matter to some point of finality," he said.
"I do stress the matter is before the courts, so the matter is not final."
He said police were also investigating allegations of a cover-up.
"It's certainly early days in regards to (any alleged cover-up)," he said.
"We are interviewing many people, listening to many commentaries and statements, and again we welcome anyone with any information to please come forward and please contact Crime Stopper."
Detective Superintendent Kerlatec said the alleged offences were geographically spread throughout regional NSW.
The Bishop of Armidale, Michael Kennedy, has released a statement in which he says the diocese will offer its "full cooperation and assistance" to police in their investigations.
"I am not able to comment any further as this is a matter rightly being dealt with by the NSW Police," he said.
"I again take this opportunity to extend my deepest sympathy to victims of child abuse and their families, and reassure the community of my commitment to see justice achieved."
Forum
Pages: 
Freemasonry on Trial (Read 469545 times)
