Catholic Priest to Stop Saying Mass at Melbourne Primary School after Parent Backlash

By Danny Morgan
ABC News
February 20, 2016

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-20/priest-stops-saying-mass-melbourne-school-after-parent-backlash/7185646

HOTO: Father John Walshe has denied he abused a trainee priest in 1982. (AAP: David Crosling)

A Catholic priest will stop saying mass at a Melbourne primary school where parents have pulled their children out of the fortnightly service as part of a protest over sexual abuse allegations.

Earlier this month dozens of parents would not allow their children to attend a school mass at St John Vianney Primary in Parkdale.

They said they had lost faith in their parish priest, Father John Walshe, following revelations last year that a Catholic Church investigation accepted he had sexually abused an 18-year-old trainee priest in 1982.

Father Walshe denies he abused the seminarian, saying their relationship was consensual.

In this week's St John Vianney school newsletter the principal informed parents that Father Walshe would not be celebrating the fortnightly mass for the time being, with an associate priest stepping in.

"I would like all families to be aware that Fr [Ramsay] Williams, associate priest, has been deputed by Fr Walshe to celebrate school masses for the present," the newsletter said.

In December, Father Walshe apologised to his parish for any "hurt or disappointment" his behaviour caused.

Father Walshe has been contacted for comment.