AUSTRALIA
Herald Sun
20jan05
A CATHOLIC priest who indecently assaulted a male parishioner had abused his position of trust and authority, a Sydney court heard today.
Terence Norman Goodall, 64, now retired, pleaded guilty in the Downing Centre District Court to one count of indecent assault.
Although his victim reported the matter to police only in 2003, Goodall was charged under laws that existed when the crime took place in 1982.
Until it was amended in 1984, the legislation made any sexual activity between two males illegal, regardless of consent.
The court heard that in 1982 Goodall invited his victim, then a 29-year-old religion teacher, to attend mass at St Catherine Laboure Church at Gymea where he was the visiting parish priest.
After mass they went swimming at a Cronulla pool, where Goodall fondled the younger man.
Later, at the presbytery, Goodall indecently assaulted the victim as he was changing out of his swimmers.
Posted by kshaw at January 20, 2005 06:25 AM