Rosemary Nolan Reflects on Brother's Abuse by "Paedophile Priest"

By Lee Curnow
Naracoorte Herald
March 19, 2019

https://www.naracoorteherald.com.au/story/5954963/local-reflects-on-brothers-abuse-by-paedophile-priest/

As the world followed Cardinal George Pell's sex crimes trial, one Apsley resident was watching closer than most.

Rosemary Nolan is one of hundreds of western Victorians who have been directly or indirectly affected by the actions of Cardinal Pell and his cohort of so-called "paedophile priests".

Rosemary's family - and many other people she knows from her time growing up in Edenhope - were impacted forever by a three-year stint in their town by now convicted paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale.

"Ridsdale arrived in 1976 in Edenhope and was there for three years. Eventually it came out that whilst he was in Edenhope, he was abusing boys," Rosemary recalls.

"He was the first of the modern priests, he had a flash car, he was extremely friendly. We were so naive, we didn't even know there was such a thing as a paedophile."

Sadly, Rosemary's brother John Ruth became one of Ridsdale's victims during that time.

He knew about (the abuse by) so many priests but did nothing about it. He and others up higher had the power to intervene, but they just didn't

Rosemary Nolan

Pell had lived with Ridsdale for a time, along with other priests who have since been convicted of sex crimes, and Rosemary believes his position of influence should have prompted him to intervene in appointments involving Ridsdale and others in the following years.

"He knew about (the abuse by) so many priests but did nothing about it," she said. "He and others up higher had the power to intervene, but they just didn't."

Rosemary said her brother's life changed for the worst from the moment he suffered the abuse.

"(He suffered) from depression and extreme anxiety, and when I delved into it, I realised he was an exact copy of other victims. The average age when it hits them hardest is in their 30s - until then they try and live with it and cover up all those years.

"John's life just spiralled out of control. I basically watched him dying. At 39 years old he had a massive heart attack, and I'd say it was brought about by alcohol and drugs.

"The isolation, inability to hold a job, he was withdrawn, profoundly depressed, it was all because of what happened.

"After he died, I could put everything together and look back and say 'This is why he's been unable to cope, to make a go of his life'."

After John's premature death in 2002, Rosemary started reaching out to other victims and support groups, but still the personal pain prevented her from becoming too involved.

"When he died, I sort of blocked it out, then the Royal Commission opened it up. It was like a curiosity, I just thought 'I want to know more, why this priest was allowed to come into our town when he was a known paedophile'."

Rosemary followed the Royal Commission closely, attending the hearing in Rome in 2016, and then took particular interest in the trial of Cardinal Pell which followed.

"I had to go to Rome, and find out what involvement Cardinal Pell had in it, and how he could become the third highest person in Rome when his name's been linked with these paedophile priests in Victoria," she said.

Rosemary was able to face the object of her contempt at the commission, reading aloud a letter she wrote to Pell to make clear the impact that his inaction had on her family.

"I asked him to hold my mum's Irish rosary beads while I read to him," she recalled. "It was quite surreal to be sitting in the opulence of the Quirinale Hotel listening to them talking about the little town of Edenhope."

Rosemary was also present when a six-year jail sentence was handed to Pell for his own sex crimes this month. While she was relieved he was found guilty, she didn't see it as a victory.

I don't think there could be a sentence enough to take away what's happened to one child, let alone thousands in Victoria

Rosemary Nolan

"I'm still in shock. I find the whole thing so hard to believe," she said.

"As far as the sentence goes, he's an old man, he'll die in jail. He's not a threat. I don't think there could be a sentence enough to take away what's happened to one child, let alone thousands in Victoria.

"I want to stress, there are good priests and nuns - they're embarrassed to be associated with 'the baddies'. But there have been some bad ones, no doubt."

Reflecting on the period that had changed so many lives for the worst, Rosemary said it was surreal.

"I look back and think 'How did it ever happen?' You drive into Edenhope and it's the most beautiful town, with a beautiful lake, and I compare it to other Australian towns.

"There have been catastrophes before, World Wars, young people dying from carnage on our roads, and I guess now the drug situation, these are common denominators in all country towns, but unfortunately Edenhope drew the short straw that a paedophile priest arrived in town."

So, where to from here? Rosemary believes strong action needs to continue to be taken to protect children, and to bring offenders to justice.

"There has to be action now," she said. "The church, the government, police and legal system, it's not enough just to accept responsibility that's it's happened - a positive stand needs to be taken."