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	Accused Salesian Priest Father Jack Ayers Too Old for Justice By Shannon Deery Herald Sun September 5, 2011 http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/accused-priest-too-old-for-justice/story-fn7x8me2-1226129278473 POLICE ditched an investigation into a Catholic priest accused of abusing Victorian schoolchildren because they considered him too old to bring to justice. Victorian detectives have also not interviewed a second Salesian priest who is working at the order's headquarters near the Vatican, despite a fresh abuse complaint being made against him more than a year ago. An eight-month Herald Sun investigation has discovered alarming claims that authorities failed to properly act on complaints of sexual abuse within the Salesian order. Click here to see priests in the Salesian shame file New investigations were launched into teachers Father Jack Ayers and Father Julian Fox, who are among eight priests who taught at Salesian College Rupertswood, Sunbury. Last week another Rupertswood teacher Michael Aulsebrook, was jailed for offences in the 1990s. The Herald Sun has discovered: EXPLOSIVE Victoria Police emails that revealed detectives made several requests to visit Father Ayers in Samoa, but were denied by senior police because of his health and age. POLICE decided not to pursue Father Ayers, but his superiors say he should face the law "even if it kills him". AT least one other police agency has started probing Father Ayers' history. POLICE have rejected offers by the Salesians to interview Father Julian Fox. In an email seen by the Herald Sun, a detective told an alleged victim of Father Ayers of his frustration at being denied the chance to interview the priest. "I have asked twice now to go to Samoa to interview Ayers regarding your incident, the decision has been finalised due to his health and age," it said. The victims allege they were abused by the two priests in the 1960s and 1980s. Father Fox has refused requests to be interviewed by police, but it is believed he has told superiors he would now come home to face his accusers, if asked. Salesian provincial Father Frank Moloney said: "Ayers is 85-years-old, incontinent and subject to heart problems and blackouts, his doctors would oppose his transfer to Australia, but I will insist, even if it kills him." A victim of Father Ayers, who was paid $45,000 in a settlement by the Salesians after he first made a complaint in 2000, said he was shocked at the decision. He said former Salesian head, Father Ian Murdoch, had told him he wasn't the first former student to make allegations about Father Ayers. "When I went to the police and the Salesians I was naive and thought they would want to know what had been going on ... but it seems all they want to do is forget about it and hide him," he said. "It's not right that Ayers robbed me of my childhood and an education, and has left me with a lifetime of scars." Contact: deerys@heraldsun.com.au
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