CHURCH to Use Catholic Bishop's Estate for Abuse Victims

9 News
September 6, 2016

http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/09/06/06/34/abuse-mulkearns-leaves-estate-to-church

Bishop Ronald Mulkearns. (9NEWS)

The multi-million dollar estate of former Ballarat bishop Ronald Mulkearns will be used to help victims of abuse.

Bishop Mulkearns, who died in April, was blamed for allowing pedophile priests to continue to operate in Victoria.

The late bishop left $2.1 million to be used by the current bishop of Ballarat for the benefit of the diocese "at his absolute discretion", the Herald Sun reported.

Ballarat Bishop Paul Bird said in a statement today it would be used to help victims.

"Whatever the diocese of Ballarat receives from Bishop Mulkearns' estate, I intend to set aside for assistance to victims of abuse," Bishop Bird said.

"This will continue the support that the diocese has given to abuse victims over many years."

His office could not confirm the estate's value or precisely how the estate would be used.

The child abuse royal commission heard Bishop Mulkearns knew pedophile priest Gerald Francis Ridsdale and others were sexually abusing children and moved them between parishes.

He also destroyed documents in Ridsdale's file.

Bishop Mulkearns told the commission he was sorry and regretted not dealing with pedophile priests properly, saying he was trying to protect the church's reputation and stop further offending.

Ballarat abuse survivor Andrew Collins thinks the proceeds should go to those hurt by the late bishop's actions.

"His assets should be distributed to victims whose lives have been destroyed and damaged by his actions," Mr Collins told the Herald Sun.