ABC
August 18, 2009
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/18/2659667.htm
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| Court hears former priest admitted to sexual abuse of boys. (ABC News: Gary Rivett) |
Adelaide's District Court has heard a former Anglican priest allegedly made admissions to an Archbishop that he had sexually abused more than 40 boys.
Wilfred Edwin Dennis served as a priest in South Australia until the 1980s, when he resigned.
He is on trial by judge alone for sexually abusing two altar boys in the 1970s at the St Martin's, St Barbara's and St John's churches.
The court heard one of the alleged victims wrote Dennis a letter in 2002 threatening to go to police.
Prosecutor Phil Crowe told the court Archbishop John Hepworth phoned Dennis when that alleged victim came forward.
Mr Crowe said Archbishop Hepworth made notes during the telephone call where it is alleged Dennis confirmed the allegations were true and said he estimated he had abused 41 boys.
Archbishop Hepworth will be called to give evidence.
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