Guilty Priest May Avoid Conviction

By Rachel Parkin
3 News
September 16, 2014

http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/guilty-priest-may-avoid-conviction-2014091618

A 71-year-old Catholic priest has pleaded guilty to indecent assault.

Father Aidan Kay was stood down from duty at his Blenheim parish over the weekend and vowed in court this morning not to go near his victim. But he may yet avoid a conviction.

From church pillar to court defendant, Father Kay looked uncomfortable in court as he fell from grace, pleading guilty to indecent assault, but avoiding conviction so restorative justice can be explored.

It came after a shock announcement at St Mary's Church mass on Sunday.

Some parishioners were reportedly in tears on learning Father Kay had been charged and removed from the ministry.

Outside court he had a message for his victim: "I'm anxious simply that they not be affected and harmed by all this."

With alleged offending like this, interim name suppression is usually granted to prevent the victim's identity being revealed by association. But in this case Father Kay's identity was revealed by the church before the court could even consider it.

Police say "there was no public safety need to override both Kay and his victim's right to name suppression". Police also say Father Kay's offending was at the lower end of the scale.

At St Mary's School, next door to the church, parents have been reassured Father Kay's offending didn't involve students or staff.

He's been bailed on strict conditions and will reappear late next month.