BishopAccountability.org
	Pedophile's Parole Plan The Mercury March 4, 2010 http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/03/05/131621_tasmania-news.html THE Catholic Church in Tasmania will try to block any moves by convicted pedophile Paul Goldsmith to work with young people upon his release from jail. Goldsmith, 65, will be eligible for parole from Risdon Prison on March 12 and concerns have been raised that he may be planning to move to Africa to work with disadvantaged children. A former inmate, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Mercury members of the church hierarchy visited Goldsmith in Risdon Prison on a regular basis and knew of his plans to head overseas upon his release. Archdiocese of Hobart business manager Peter Cusick said Catholic chaplains visited the prison on a regular basis along with chaplains of other denominations. "Any inmate has the opportunity, as permitted by the authorities, to talk to these chaplains," Mr Cusick said. "I have no idea what this person's intentions are when released. "The Catholic Church would vigorously oppose any activity this person would want to undertake in relation to involvement with young persons." Goldsmith was jailed for 6 1/2 years in 2005 after pleading guilty to 42 sex offences against 20 teenage boys. On Wednesday, Tasmania Police made an application in the Burnie Magistrates Court to have Goldsmith placed on the sex offenders' register as a reportable offender. The application was adjourned and will be heard in Hobart on March 30. If the application is granted, Goldsmith will have to let the Government know if he plans to leave Tasmania for more than seven days. The former inmate, who said he was in close contact with the convicted pedophile in jail, said Goldsmith "made it quite clear that he planned to work with under-privileged kids in Africa when he got out". "He was learning Swahili in line with his African plans, and would continually say he had done nothing wrong," he said. Beyond Abuse spokesman Steve Fisher said if the Catholic Church was supporting Goldsmith's bid to work with children, the church would be culpable if he reoffended. "The church has always supported the abuser above the victim," Mr Fisher said. Goldsmith was arrested in Western Australia in 2005 and extradited to Tasmania to face the charges. Mr Fisher said he understood the failed priest and former athletics coach had been about to leave for Africa when arrested.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.