Bishop of Ballarat says history should accurately recall historical events

By Andrew Thomson
Standard
April 2, 2017

http://www.standard.net.au/story/4570412/bishop-says-names-of-disgraced-priests-should-not-be-removed/

Bishop Paul Bird.

THE Catholic Bishop of Ballarat has refuted calls to remove plaques which include the name of disgraced bishop Ronald Mulkearns.

Bishop Paul Bird made the comment prior to a visit to Warrnambool on Sunday.

He said it was important to accurately record historical events where the community had gathered to celebrate with Bishop Mulkearns.

The bishop said other events, including Bishop Mulkearns' failings, had been recorded elsewhere. Bishop Bird said he thought it was going too far. Bishop Mulkearns, who died last year, was the bishop of the Ballarat Diocese while pedophile members of the clergy abused children.

He was aware of pedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale’s offending in 1975 but chose to move him to parishes within the diocese, allowing the notorious offender to keep committing crimes.

Churches and schools within the diocese have been discussing removing historical plaques out of respect for the hundreds of victims. 

St Colman's in Mortlake and Warrnambool's St Joseph's primary schools have decided to remove the plaques or remove Bishop Mulkearn's name from the plaques. Bishop Bird said each school or church council had to make its own decision. He called for those making such decisions to also recognise the good work done by Bishop Mulkearns. 

The Royal Commission into sexual abuse heard that almost 10 per cent of clergy members of the Ballarat diocese had committed sexual offences.