AUSTRALIA
ABC News
A Melbourne Catholic priest has resigned after allegations he sexually abused a trainee priest 30 years ago.
The ABC revealed that in 2012, the Catholic Church paid $75,000 in compensation to an 18-year-old former student priest, who alleged he was abused by Father John Walshe in 1982.
Father Walshe strenuously denied the abuse and said the relationship was consensual.
Parents from two schools in his parish in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, St John Vianney Primary School at Parkdale and St Patrick’s Primary School, Mentone have been lobbying for his resignation all year saying they no longer trusted him.
In this week’s parish bulletin, Father Walshe said it had been an immense honour serving the parish and his resignation would take effect on January 18.
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