BishopAccountability.org
	Ex-Catholic Priest Defrocked over Sex Abuse By Michael Mullins ABC News July 25, 2011 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-25/ex-catholic-priest-defrocked-over-sex-abuse/2808576 The Bishop of the Maitland-Newcastle diocese, in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, says the removal of former priest John Denham from the ministry shows the Vatican is serious about addressing child sex abuse within the church. Pope Benedict has issued a decree, dismissing Denham from the clerical state, meaning he can never again practise as a priest. He is currently serving a 13-year prison term for abusing almost 40 boys aged between five and 16, from 1968 to 1986, many of them from St Pius High School at Adamstown. Bishop William Wright says he acknowledges that the ruling will be cold comfort to many of Denham's victims. "Victims will react differently," he said. "To some it will be a comfort that John Denham's been clearly removed from the priesthood. "Others will take the view that it doesn't help them and understandably, but I hope it'll indicate to people at large the seriousness of the response that the church is taking to this matter." Bishop Wright says he is yet to make contact with Denham's victims but hopes to do so shortly. "To some extent they set the timetable," he said. "There are groups that meet regularly and I'm engaged to go along and talk to them at one of their meetings in the future but at this point, no."
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