Bishop told advisers, Pell of priest’s homosexuality ‘problem’

By Tessa Akerman
Australian
December 10, 2015

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Former bishop of Ballarat Ronald Mulkearns told a meeting of ­advisers, including George Pell, that there was a “problem with homosexuality” and Gerald Ridsdale had to be moved from the parish of Mortlake, the child sex abuse royal commission has heard.

Father Eric Bryant, who is currently a priest in Stawell in the Ballarat Diocese, told the commission he remembered the gathering in September 1982 as it was his first meeting with the group. “I remember him saying we had a problem with homosexuality and he referred to Ridsdale … not a word more except he had to move Ridsdale,” Father Bryant said. “He just informed us what he was doing and that was it, full stop.”

The minutes of the meeting, which have been tendered to the commission, show that Cardinal Pell and Father Daniel Arundell were in attendance.

Both men are to give evidence before the commission. Father Bryant’s comments are potentially significant because they suggest that Ridsdale’s sexuality was discussed.

The minutes state that the bishop advised it had ­“become necessary” for Ridsdale to be moved from the parish of Mortlake and that negotiations were under way to have him work with the Catholic Enquiry Centre in Sydney.