AUSTRALIA
The Courier
One of Australia’s worst pedophile priests has pleaded guilty to abusing another 11 victims during his time in Ballarat.
Former Ballarat priest Gerald Francis Ridsdale used his exalted position in the eyes of Catholic families and communities to find his prey.
Gerard Ridsdale – already convicted of abusing 53 children – appeared via video link at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to a number of child abuse charges.
Over these decades his modus operandi appeared to follow a pattern; he appeared to be a friendly and hardworking priest who helped his parishioners, particularly youths and the needy.
But it was all a ruse that was allowed to continue for decades and, as one judge put it, plummeted to the depths of evil hypocrisy.
Australia’s most prolific pedophile priest has now admitted in five court cases that he abused more than 60 children.
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