Priest reported to Vatican over alleged child sex chat

AUSTRALIA
Daily Examiner

Jessica Grewal 17th Dec 2013

THE Lismore Diocese is yet to receive instructions from the Vatican about what to do with a local priest who has alleged links to the child sex industry in Thailand, the royal commission has heard.

Lismore Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett told the commission he referred a priest to the Vatican after he was allegedly heard telling others of a place in Thailand where “under-age people were available to foreign visitors”.

Bishop Jarrett said he had reported the allegations between 2011 and 2012 but that he understood that a response could take some time.

A spokesperson for the Lismore Diocese confirmed on Monday that the allegations had also been referred to the ombudsman but could not say whether the priest remained in the area.

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