AUSTRALIA
Herald Sun
Paedophile Gerald Ridsdale had a way with kids, says priest now ‘horrified’ to learn of crimes
A PRIEST has shocked victims of sexual abuse by admitting he admired Australia’s most notorious paedophile Gerald Ridsdale, “for what he did for youth”.
But St Alipius parish priest Fr Adrian McInerney has denied any knowledge of Ridsdale’s offending.
Ridsdale has spent more than 20 years behind bars after admitting to molesting more than 50 kids, but it is estimated he assaulted more than 200 in an evil career that spanned decades.
He dished out much of his vile abuse to kids while based at St Alipius parish, Ballarat East, before being shuffled between Victorian parishes by Bishop Ronald Mulkearns.
Current St Alipius parish priest Fr McInerney told the royal commission today he had admired Ridsdale’s way with kids.
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