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	Fr Moore Will Oversee Parishes Daily Mercury May 11, 2009 http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2009/05/11/fr-moore-will-oversee-parishes/ FATHER Dan Moore will preside over Mackay's Catholic Church southern cluster while fellow priest Fr Kevin Phillips faces a charge that he engaged in sexual misconduct at a Catholic boarding school in NSW in 1990. Fr Moore was based in the Central Highlands in the late 1990s and most recently spent time at Walkerston. Fr Phillips pleaded not guilty last week in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court to allegations that he attempted to have sex with a boy at St Stanislaus College in Bathurst in 1990. He is also fighting a charge of supplying a prohibited drug. It is standard procedure for the Catholic church to stand down a priest while a matter such as this is before the courts. The South Mackay cluster includes St Patrick's, St Mary's and St Francis Xavier's parishes, all at Mackay, and St Michael's at Sarina. Fr Moore will be assisted by Father Ronaldo Rodriguez, originally from the Philippines. Bishop Brian Heenan, of the Rockhampton Catholic Diocese which includes Mackay, notified parishioners of the measures at the weekend via a letter which was read out in churches. Bishop Heenan wrote that Fr Phillips had moved out of a presbytery and was living privately in the area. Parishioners were also told the former assistant to Fr Phillips, Fr Andrew Chase, was currently on annual leave. Bishop Heenan said Fr Chase was troubled by the allegations against Fr Phillips. "It's a difficult time for all," he said. "Father Chase will return shortly." Bishop Heenan said Fr Moore was expected to relocate to Ireland mid year. Fr Phillips, 58, is the sixth man to be arrested over claims of sexual misconduct at St Stanislaus College. He was granted conditional bail until the case is mentioned on June 23. Bishop Heenan was at a meeting of Australian bishops in Sydney at the weekend.
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