AUSTRALIA
Broken Rites
By a Broken Rites researcher
Why did Catholic Church leaders, including George Pell, take part in a glowing tribute to a pedophile priest, Father Nazareno Fasciale? Why was the church “immensely proud” of a pedophile?
Father Fasciale (pronounced “Fah-SHAH-lay”) was harboured in the Melbourne Catholic archdiocese for 44 years while he committed sexual crimes against girls and boys. The cathedral authorities continually ignored any complaints from Fasciale’s victims. Fasciale knew that the church would protect him.
Finally, in late 1993, some of his victims contacted the newly-formed Broken Rites Australia victim support group. These victims, with help from Broken Rites, forced the church to remove Fasciale from the ministry, although the church covered up his crimes by announcing that his retirement was because of “health” problems.
Meanwhile, Broken Rites discovered more of Fasciale’s victims and introduced them all to Victoria Police detectives. In a police interview, Fasciale admitted indecently assaulting children.
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