AUSTRALIA
Broken Rites
By a Broken Rites researcher (article updated 27 February 2014)
Father Wilfred James Baker, a retired priest from the Melbourne Catholic archdiocese, who was jailed in 1999 for crimes against boys, was scheduled to face the Melbourne County Court in 2014 (case number CR-13-01856) on additional charges regarding more boys. However, Baker died on 15 February 2014, meaning that this court case will be cancelled.
News of the death was kept secret for 12 days. Finally, a death notice appeared on the Melbourne Herald Sun website on February 27:
BAKER. Wilfred. Died peacefully at Ashwood Feb. 15, 2014, aged 77. A Private Funeral Service was held on Feb. 20, 2014.
Questions
Broken Rites would like to see answers to these questions:
1. Following his convictions in 1999 for child-sex crimes, did the Catholic Church authorities officially revoke Wilfred Baker’s ordination as a priest? That is (to use the church’s language), was he laicised? The answer apparently, is “No” (according to other Melbourne priests who have spoken to Broken Rites).
2. Where was the funeral service conducted? And conducted by whom?
3. Was Father Baker buried with his fellow deceased priests in the church’s special vault for priests at the Melbourne General Cemetery? If so, why was he given this honour?
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