AUSTRALIA
Herald Sun
Monique Hore, Herald Sun
January 31, 2017
A PRIEST who was accused of molesting a seminarian, 18, in the 1980s is boarding at a parish house next to a Brighton East primary school, prompting anger among parents.
St Finbar’s parish priest Father Ian Ranson moved to reassure parents in a letter sent by St Finbar’s Primary School last Wednesday.
A meeting has also been schedule for tomorrow to “address concerns” among parents.
“Fr John’s stay is dependent on his next appointment by the Archdiocese, and, as such, he won’t have any active role in the daily life of the parish and the school,” Fr Ranson said.
It prompted calls for a boycott by pupils of the first day at school on Tuesday.
Fr Walshe was accused of the early 1980s sexual assault of an 18-year-old seminarian, who reportedly later received a $75,000 payout. The priest, who denies abuse, resigned from the nearby Mentone-Parkdale Parish in December.
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