General News
19 February, 2025
Paedophile priest's death renews call for change after controversial ruling
Gerald Ridsdale's death sparks 'deep emotions' for his victims.
News of the death of one of Australia's worst paedophiles, defrocked Catholic priest Gerald Ridsdale, raises "deep emotions" in the community and has sparked a call to action from Loud Fence.
The former Western Victoria Catholic priest - who had been in jail since 1994 after being convicted of abusing more than 70 children over three decades - died on Tuesday, aged 90.
Ridsdale was first assigned to a Ballarat parish in 1961 before he was moved to 10 different parishes in several communities, including Horsham, Edenhope and Mortlake until the late 1980s.
Loud Fence vice president Mark O'Brien said the 90-year-old's passing "raised many emotions for so many people".
"There is a lot of pain for so many families today," he told Australian Community Media.
"For those who used their voice, those who haven't been able to, and those who are no longer with us.
"It raises a lot of deep emotions as people reflect on the pain from the past, especially when historically they weren't listened to or heard, and where moving priests like Ridsdale from parish to parish was commonplace."
Loud Fence, which aims to give survivors and victims of child sexual assault a voice, began in 2015 during the first stage of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
The act of tying ribbons to the front of the former St Alipius Boys School site in Ballarat's Victoria Street soon sparked a global movement that allowed communities to show support for victims.
Mr O'Brien said more ribbons had appeared around the city following Tuesday's news.
He confirmed the organisation would offer support to those impacted by Ridsdale's death, noting the number of victims of child sexual assault who had died by suicide was already "quite high" in the region.
There is a lot of pain for so many families today. For those who used their voice, those who haven't been able to, and those who are no longer with us.Mark O'Brien
In a statement, Loud Fence called on the Catholic Church to use the moment to reflect on a recent controversial High Court decision.
In November 2024, the Victorian court found the Catholic Church was not vicariously liable for the actions of a priest who allegedly sexually abused a five-year-old in 1971.
It ruled a priest was not an employee of a church, and therefore the institution was not liable to compensate their victims.
Vicarious liability is the responsibility employers have for the wrongdoing of their employees.
"We extend our deepest compassion to all victim-survivors, knowing that this news will bring pain, distress, and painful memories," the Loud Fence statement read.
"We especially hold in our hearts the families and loved ones who lost their sons, daughters, siblings, and friends too soon as a result of his abuse. We recognise the parents who carry unbearable guilt, having trusted the schools and churches where Ridsdale was allowed to roam freely.
"This moment presents an opportunity for the Catholic Church to reflect on the recent High Court decision and demonstrate true empathy and genuine regret. The reality remains: Gerald Ridsdale was housed, fed, and re-located under the church's watch, allowing his crimes to continue unchecked for decades."
Affected by this story?
There is help available. You can phone the South Western Centre Against Sexual Assault, on 5564 4144, or free-call the crisis care line 24 hours on 1800 806 292. Or phone Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380, or Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277.