Priest Cost Catholic Church $3m in Claims

By Tessa Akerman
The Australian
November 25, 2015

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/index.html?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a&mode=premium&dest=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/priest-cost-catholic-church-3m-in-claims/story-fngburq5-1227621578698?sv=63430400134ef998948a867c885baabb&memtype=anonymous

Former Archbishop of Melbourne George Pell arranged for a pedophile priest to be provided for by the Priests Retirement Foundation when it was known that the priest was likely to be charged.

Documents tendered to the child sex abuse royal commission show that in May 1998 Peter O’Callaghan QC informed then Bishop Denis Hart that Wilfred Baker was likely to be charged with sex offences.

Mr O’Callaghan had informed now Cardinal Pell of allegations regarding Baker in May 1997 and recommended he be placed on administrative leave, which Cardinal Pell did.

Secretary of the Priests Retirement Foundation, Reverend Gerard Beasley, wrote to Baker in July 1998 and said the then Archbishop had asked the Foundation to provide for him “as if you were a Pastor Emeritus”.

Rev Beasley advised Baker that the Foundation would provide for his “board and lodging” costs up to a total of $3000 per quarter and hospital insurance and ambulance subscription would be maintained on his behalf.