Royal Commission | Priests probed on Ridsdale’s sexual behaviour

AUSTRALIA
The Courier

By Melissa Cunningham
Dec. 14, 2015

1pm

Fr McKinnon told the inquiry the bishop’s consultors never questioned him.

Admits to the commission that it was a failing on his part and the part of other consultors not to push further.

Fr Mckinnon told the inquiry the idea of celibacy and chastity means priests often miss out on life experience.

“I sometimes wonder whether the fact we’re celibate means that we miss out on the normal incentive to grow,” he told the inquiry.

12.50pm

Fr McKinnon tells inquiry he had an “instinct of dislike” for Ridsdale.

Also tells inquiry he cannot recall when he became aware of his offending against children.

He is now being probed about disgraced priest Paul Ryan’s resignation in 1991.

The resignation was discussed at a meeting lead by Bishop Mulkearns but Fr McKinnon said he has no recollection if the circumstances surrounding his resignation were discussed.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.