Third Catholic Church in Melbourne Set on Fire

By Monique Hore
Herald Sun
April 1, 2015

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/third-catholic-church-in-melbourne-set-on-fire/story-fni0fee2-1227287163553

St Mary's Catholic Church at Dandenong was the target of an arsonist today. Picture: Chris Eastman

Fire crews and police are investigating a fire at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Foster St, Dandenong, that started about 2.30am.

The fire, which caused $250,000 damage, started in the church’s storeroom. Another was sparked near the altar.

A team of 40 firefighters took about an hour to control the blaze.

It comes after fires on Monday at St James in Brighton and St Mary’s in St Kilda East — two parishes home to notorious paedophile priest, Ron Pickering.

According to Broken Rites, St Mary’s Catholic Church is Dandenong was “a crime scene for many years” when Father Kevin O’Donnell abused children.

Kevin O'Donnell.

Fire gutted St James Catholic Church in Brighton on Monday. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Bishop Peter Elliott told 3AW the church didn’t believe the fires were linked, or started by someone who had been sexually abused by priests.

He said they were probably started by someone with a “disturbed mind” who enjoyed setting fire to buildings.

He said churches were increasing security following the fires.

A CFA spokeswoman said “it appears there have been a number of fires at Catholic churches” and that police and fire crews would investigate.

Detective Sen-Constable Nic Hayes said at this stage there was nothing to suggest the fire was related to those earlier this week.

“There is nothing to suggest they are linked,” he said.

“It is just being treated as a one off fire.”

Arson investigators are going through the scene to determine how and where the fire started.

It was being treated as suspicious.