AUSTRALIA
Daily Mail
At a time when Catholic families placed priests on a pedestal, Gerald Francis Ridsdale held an “almost supernatural” level of power even in his own family.
He was charismatic and many were in awe of him, his nephew David Ridsdale recalls.
Ridsdale’s mother would be frantic when he came home to visit, ordering his six siblings to get their cars off the driveway hours before his arrival.
He appeared to be a hardworking priest who helped his parishioners, particularly the needy and youth.
But it was all a ruse that was allowed to continue for decades and, as one judge put it, plummeted to the depths of evil hypocrisy.
Ridsdale used his exalted position in the eyes of Catholic families and communities to find his prey.
Father Adrian McInerney admired Ridsdale’s ability, and even what he did for youth, saying Ridsdale sought out families in need when he went to a parish.
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