Canberra priest Edward Evans allegedly told church official that incident with girl was 'not sexual'

ABC News
March 30, 2015

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-30/act-family-priest-stripped-of-religious-duties-after-interview/6360114

Edward Evans is facing six charges of committing acts of indecency against the girl, who was aged between 10 and 13 at the time.

A Catholic Church official has alleged a Canberra priest told him he knew touching a young girl in the 1990s was wrong, the ACT Supreme Court has heard.

The alleged victim was aged between 10 and 13 when the now 85-year-old Edward Evans was alleged to have molested her in the 1990s.

Evans is accused of six offences against the girl.

Most of the allegations relate to incidents in his house, often when other people were nearby.

The woman's parents have told the court they had a close relationship with Evans lasting many years but cut contact with the priest when the allegations surfaced.

Monsignor John Woods told the court that after he talked to the alleged victim, Evan's religious duties were withdrawn, and the local parishes informed.

Catholic Church Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn professional standards officer Mathew Casey went to see Evans with a colleague after his police interview.

Mr Casey, who is a former senior police officer, told the court he began taking notes after he heard what Evans had to say.

He said Evans was cautioned before asking him any questions.

Mr Casey said Evans made several statements.

"He said he was surprised [the alleged victim] had brought this up years later when he thought it had all been forgiven and forgotten," he said.

Mr Casey also said Evans also told him that: "Things happened in this house, in this room, about which I feel guilt."

"I know a priest should not do it but...," Evans allegedly told Mr Casey while shrugging his shoulders.

The court heard Mr Casey had put to Evans that he had admitted patting the alleged victim on the bottom, before asking him why he had done it.

Mr Casey said Evans then told him: "I did not want to have sex with her."

"It was not sexual. In some countries it is not a crime," he allegedly said.

"I knew it was wrong. She chased me.

"What does she want after 15 or 20 years?

"If I had known it was a crime, I would have come to you myself."

Evans does not deny touching the girl but says it was incidental.

The trial is continuing.