AUSTRALIA
The Age

December 9, 2015

Jane Lee

A priest who was involved in decisions to move paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale between numerous parishes told a court Ridsdale was an “outstanding priest” without finding out what crimes he was to be sentenced for.

Father Frank Madden was a member of a group of senior priests called the College of Consultors, which advised Ballarat Bishop Ronald Mulkearns on various appointments of priests within the diocese between 1979 and 1982.

Father Madden was among those who provided a character reference for Ridsdale after he pleaded guilty to sexually abusing eight boys, saying he had worked “closely” with Ridsdale for 30 years in various roles in the Ballarat diocese.

“In my judgment Father Ridsdale has been quite an outstanding priest in almost every facet of his work … To the best of my knowledge, Father Ridsdale is held in high regard by…