UNITED KINGDOM
Derby Telegraph
By Aly Walsh
PAEDOPHILE priest Francis Cullen almost certainly preyed on more victims than those he has confessed to abusing, police believe.
Cullen, who spent 18 years working at Christ the King Catholic Church, on the Mackworth estate, yesterday pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting seven children – four of them in Derby.
Cullen pleaded guilty to 21 charges of abuse against children as young as six, including altar boys, between the 1950s and 1990s.
Investigating officer Det Con Matt Goodwin said it was “inconceivable” that Cullen, who is now 85, had not abused more children during his time as a priest.
He said police would investigate any new allegations made if anyone chose to now come forward.
The Nottingham Catholic Diocese, which covers Derbyshire, said there were no records of reports being made to the Diocese at the time of the abuse. Spokesman Father Andrew Cole said: “There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that anybody complained to the Church.”
But at least one victim said he believed his parents did report the abuse to the Church.
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