Mentone-parkdale Parish Parents Push to Clarify Power of Priests in Catholic Schools

By Tom Nightingale
ABC News
June 8, 2016

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-08/parents-push-to-clarify-power-of-priests-in-catholic-schools/7489292

PHOTO: The Reverend Father John Walshe leaves the Abuse Royal Commission public hearing into Catholic Church authorities in Ballarat, being held in Melbourne, December 16, 2015. (AAP: David Crosling)

A group of parents in a parish in Melbourne's south-east are talking to MPs about a bill to clarify the separation of responsibilities in Catholic schools between the priest and principal, following sexual abuse allegations.

The group of parents from the Catholic community have been demanding the removal of Father John Walshe from his Mentone-Parkdale parish.

An internal Church investigation found he sexually abused an 18 year old in the 1980s, although Father Walshe has denied the allegation, saying it was consensual sex.

The victim was paid $75,000 compensation and received an apology.

Angela Sdrinis, a lawyer acting on behalf of the parents group, said the issue could have wider implications for Catholic schools across the country.

"There's been a lot going on behind the scenes, the parents have been making representations to the Australian Conference of Bishops," Ms Sdrinis said.

"I understand that a letter has been, or will be, sent to the Pope.

"There is currently a complaint before the regulatory authority — the Department of Education — and the parents have been talking to members of Parliament about a private members' bill which will be aimed at codifying and clarifying a separation of responsibilities in Catholic schools as between the parish priest and the principal.

"So what's been happening at Parkdale and St John Vianneys, in terms of the influence Walsh has at the school and the power of parish priests in Catholic schools, is an issue that has I believe raised wider concerns about how Catholic schools are run and managed."

Sabbatical timing is interesting, says lawyer

A few weeks ago Father Walshe left the parish for a sabbatical and the ABC has been unable to reach him.

Ms Sdrinis said from her clients perspective the timing of Father Walshe's sabbatical was "interesting".

"At the time that the sabbatical was announced, there was a lot of pressure on Father Walshe and on Archbishop Hart to do something about the ongoing divisions in the school community about Father Walshe and his involvement," she said.

In a newsletter before leaving, Father Walshe said he was aware of the tensions and apologised for offending, hurting or disappointing anyone.

A spokesperson for a local group of parents from the parish said that 70 per cent of the second grade children who were doing their first communion were being taken by parents to surrounding parishes, instead of staying in the area.

"Which is really sad, it's normally a joyous occasion, where everyone gets together and it's a big deal, a big family day, it's a lovely occasion," the spokesperson said.

"But it's really been impacted a lot by this whole thing."

A spokesman for the Catholic Archdiocese, Shane Healy, told the ABC that Father Walshe was on a scheduled break.

He said he would return to his position in about three months' time.