AUSTRALIA
ABC News
By Tom Nightingale
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.
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