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Ronald Mulkearns: Ex-bishop accused of abuse cover-up dies | Ronald Mulkearns: Ex-bishop accused of abuse cover-up dies |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A former Catholic bishop accused of covering up the sexual abuse of children in Ballarat, Australia between the 1970s and 1990s has died. | A former Catholic bishop accused of covering up the sexual abuse of children in Ballarat, Australia between the 1970s and 1990s has died. |
Retired bishop Ronald Mulkearns died aged 85, the Catholic Church confirmed. | |
Last month he was asked once again to testify before a child sex abuse inquest following evidence from Cardinal George Pell. | Last month he was asked once again to testify before a child sex abuse inquest following evidence from Cardinal George Pell. |
Cardinal Pell said the bishop deceived him about the activities of notorious paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale. | Cardinal Pell said the bishop deceived him about the activities of notorious paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale. |
Ridsdale committed more than 130 offences against young boys while working as a chaplain at Ballarat's St Alipius school between the 1960s and the 1980s. | Ridsdale committed more than 130 offences against young boys while working as a chaplain at Ballarat's St Alipius school between the 1960s and the 1980s. |
"I can't nominate another bishop whose actions are so grave and inexplicable … His repeated refusal to act is, I think, absolutely extraordinary," Cardinal Pell said of Bishop Mulkearns in March. | "I can't nominate another bishop whose actions are so grave and inexplicable … His repeated refusal to act is, I think, absolutely extraordinary," Cardinal Pell said of Bishop Mulkearns in March. |
In February, Bishop Mulkearns told the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse he was sorry for moving paedophile priests. | In February, Bishop Mulkearns told the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse he was sorry for moving paedophile priests. |
"I certainly regret that I didn't deal differently with paedophilia. We had no idea, or I had no idea, of the effects of the incidents that took place," he said. | "I certainly regret that I didn't deal differently with paedophilia. We had no idea, or I had no idea, of the effects of the incidents that took place," he said. |
The Bishop of Ballarat Paul Bird described Bishop Mulkearns as man dedicated to his service over six decades, but acknowledged he had made some tragic mistakes. | |
"He expressed his sorrow for these mistakes," Bishop Bird said in a statement. | |
"His death means that the Royal Commission and survivors will not be able to hear any further evidence that he might have given and this will be a disappointment to them," he added. |
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