AUSTRALIA
The Courier
By FIONA HENDERSON
April 29, 2013
QUESTIONS have been raised over the absence of former bishop Ronald Mulkearns from the inquiry into institutionalised child abuse being held today at Parliament House.
Current bishop Paul Bird says Bishop Mulkearns memory has been affected by a stroke.
However, committee member Frank McGuire says he should appear to explain why Father Gerald Ridsdale was moved around parishes, even when his offending was known.
In response to Mr McGuire asking if Bishop Mulkearns had “wilful blindness”, Bishop Bird said he had instead made “tragic mistakes” and was just following the accepted opinions of his time.
“Dismissal was not the first option,” Bishop Bird said.
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