AUSTRALIA
Deniliquin Pastoral Times
A legally-blind, self-described “witch” who abused two teenage girls will never have authority in the alternative Catholic church he attends, the church leader says.
Robin Fletcher was jailed in 1998 for using hypnotism and mind-altering techniques to prostitute two 15-year-old girls, while working as a drug abuse and sexual guidance youth counsellor.
He was released in 2006, but lived under supervision orders for the next decade before a court this month allowed him to roam freely.
Australian Church of Antioch Archbishop Frank Bugge says he has known Fletcher for more than 30 years and allows “the very well qualified” man to teach theology once a month.
Fletcher also attends mass each Sunday at the Alphington church – a three-minute walk from a children’s playground – but the archbishop strongly disputed any notion the convicted sex offender preaches or holds authority.
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