AUSTRALIA
The Age

Timna Jacks

Controversial Melbourne figure Father John Walshe has resigned from his position as parish priest in Melbourne’s south east, following a parent-led campaign calling for him to step down.

In a bulletin leaked to Fairfax Media on Friday, Father Walsh announced he would be stepping down after nearly 25 years in the job.

The news was to be circulated at the Mentone-Parkdale parish mass on Saturday evening.

“I have this week, with the agreement of the archbishop, submitted my resignation from the office of parish priest of the Parish of Mentone-Parkdale,” he said in the statement.

“This will take effect from 18 January 2017.

“I wanted to communicate this to you as soon as possible. When I leave early next year I will be four days short of having completed 25 years in the parish. It has been my immense honour to have been with…