AUSTRALIA
Coffs Coast Advocate
THE parish priest at Sawtell’s Mary Help of Christians is facing a range of historic child sex assault charges.
Father John Casey, 67, is facing charges from incidents which allegedly occurred in the Lismore Diocese in the 1980s.
Fr Casey was refused bail in Port Macquarie Local Court today this morning after being charged with five counts of a sexual assault on a person under 16-years-old, four counts of sexual assault and committing an act of indecency.
Bishop of Lismore, Reverend Geoffrey Jarrett, said Fr Casey has been stood down from his position, effective immediately.
The priest, who is also a part-time police chaplain, was arrested at 9am on Thursday and was taken to Kempsey Police Station.
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