Auxiliary Brisbane Bishop Brian Finnigan Quits after Accusations of Dishonesty before Sex Abuse Royal Commission
By Daryl Passmore
A BRISBANE bishop has quit after being accused of not being honest in giving evidence at the sexual abuse royal commission. Auxiliary Bishop Brian Finnigan — one of the city’s three most powerful Catholic Church figures — had his resignation accepted by Pope Francis yesterday. In a letter to fellow clergymen, he made no direct reference to his appearance before the commission earlier this month. But he wrote: “In a pastoral career spanning more than 40 years, there have been disappointments and challenges. “From those whom I may have disappointed, I seek forgiveness.’’ Bishop Finnigan was slammed by counsel assisting the Royal Commission, Angus Stewart SC, two weeks ago for lacking compassion and not being candid in his evidence about his knowledge of paedophile priests in the 1980s. Mr Stewart accused the Bishop of not seeking to assist the commission or the public understand what had gone on. Bishop Finnigan admitted his evidence at the public hearing was “far more restrictive” than his previous account given in private, but denied he was trying to protect himself or the church. Bishop Finnigan held key roles as secretary, and later Vicar-General, to then Bishop of Ballarat Ronald Mulkearns, and as a member of the College of Consultors. It was during the period when the Catholic Church’s worst paedophile priest, Father Gerald Ridsdale, was abusing children. Ridsdale, who was moved several times, was later convicted of 138 offences involving 53 youngsters. Bishop Finnigan formally tendered his resignation to Pope Francis two years ago as is required of all bishops when they turn 75. But it was accepted on the day that one of Ridsdale’s victims sent a petition to Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge calling for Bishop Finnigan to be sacked if he did not stand down. Paul Levey was sent to live with Ridsdale at the presbytery at Mortlake in Victoria as a 14-year-old when his parents split up in 1982. He told the inquiry he was forced to sleep in the priest’s room and was sexually abused almost daily during the several months he was there. In a letter with his online petition, which attracted more than 5000 signatures, Mr Levey said Bishop Finnigan “needs to be de frocked immediately and removed from any pastoral and clergy duties’’. “I believe that you need to take immediate action in regards to the removal of Brian Vincent Finnigan,’’ The Archbishop does not have the power to remove bishops. Only The Vatican can do so. Bishop Finnigan had told a private hearing the he knew a boy was living at the presbytery with Ridsdale, but told the public hearing he only found out later. In his letter to colleagues yesterday, the Bishop who has been in his current role for 13 years wrote: “The Pope accepted my resignation but I was informed that there would be no public announcement until 2015. I am grateful that it has now come to pass. “At 77 years of age, energy levels and mental agility have diminished. “It has been a great privilege to serve in the Archdiocese of Brisbane, and I am now looking forward to the next phase of my life.’’ As the news broke, Mr Levey posted on his Facebook page: “Finally the p**** is gone.’’
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