Dozens of Parishioners Appeal for Father John Walshe's Removal after Allegations of Sexual Abuse
ABC News
A group of Catholic parishioners in Melbourne's south-east are calling for their parish priest, Father John Walshe, to be removed, after it was revealed he was investigated over alleged sexual abuse. The ABC revealed last month a Catholic Church investigation found Father Walshe had sexually abused an 18-year-old trainee priest in 1982. In 2012 the church apologised to the victim John Roach and paid compensation of $75,000, but it did not make the finding public. More than 100 people from the parish met to discuss the matter on Wednesday night. A spokeswoman told the ABC they passed a resolution saying they had lost faith in Father Walshe and wanted him removed as their parish priest. Father Walshe has denied he sexually abused Mr Roach. He said while his conduct was contrary to his religious beliefs, the encounter with Mr Roach was completely consensual. In his final report on the complaint, the lawyer appointed by the church to investigate the case, Peter O'Callaghan QC, was satisfied Mr Roach had been sexually abused. He defined sexual abuse as: "conduct of a sexual nature that is inconsistent with the public vows, integrity of the ministerial relationship, duties or professional responsibilities of church personnel." Although Mr O'Callaghan made no finding on which man's version of events should be believed, the final report said, "there is no doubt that sexual abuse occurred" because "a reasonable inference to be drawn is that J [the priest] had a degree of influence and control over the Seminarian". The finding was not based on any legal interpretation of sexual abuse and Father Walshe was allowed to continue running the Mentone-Parkdale parish. Parishioners speak out in support for Father Walshe Late last year, Monsignor Greg Bennett said Father Walshe apologised to parishioners. "Father Walshe has spoken to his parishioners and apologised for any hurt or disappointment his behaviour has caused," he said. St Patrick Church in Mentone is one of two churches presided over by Father John Walshe.
"We are aware that these revelations are upsetting for all concerned." Outside St Patrick Church in Mentone, one of two churches in the Mentone-Parkdale parish, parishioner Colleen Pati said Father Walshe had her support and that of many others. "If you go in now, you'll see another group saying another rosary, we said three yesterday, we love him very much, he's a good man," she said. Bill and Trish Collins said while they did not belong to the parish, they often attended Father Walshe's sermons and he was an "excellent pastor". "[He's a] very loving man, very forgiving, and does an excellent job I think in both parishes that he's looking after and runs a very good school," Mr Collins said outside the church in Mentone. "I understand that there is this issue that happened 33 years ago - he made a mistake and I think he's made up for that ever since."
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