Australian bishop: diocese may have had pedophile ring
November 14, 2012
An Australian bishop has said that a ring of pedophile priests may have been active in his diocese in the past.
Bishop William Wright of Maitland-Newcastle revealed that he and his staff had explored indications that some priests might be “passing victims around,” but could not find any firm evidence. “We’ve not exactly been able to join those dots,” he said. But he admitted: “It’s possible.”
Bishop Wright took over leadership of the Maitland-Newcastle diocese in 2011, replacing Bishop Michael Malone, who stepped down 4 years before reaching the usual retirement age of 75. Bishop Malone had been an outspoken critic of the Church’s response to sex-abuse complaints.
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Further information:
- Bishop hints at possibility of pedophile ring (CathNews)
- Pope accepts retirement of outspoken Australian bishop (CWN, 4/4/11)
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