Saturday, August 07, 2010

Notorious paedophile priest set for parole

A notorious New South Wales paedophile priest will be released from jail any time from today.

Vince Ryan, 72, has spent more than 14 years in jail after admitting to sexually abusing 35 boys in cases dating back to the 1970s in the Hunter Valley.

The Catholic Church has since paid his victims millions of dollars in damages.

Last month the State's Parole Authority said Ryan should be released with strict conditions any time between August 6 and August 13.

A Parole Authority spokeswoman says Ryan will have to wear an electronic monitoring device, which will activate an alarm if he spends too long near schools.

News of his imminent release has prompted a Catholic Church warning that he should not return to the Hunter Valley region.

Maitland-Newcastle Bishop Michael Malone says Ryan can never return to the ministry and should not come back to the diocese.

But he says Ryan has a right to a future with dignity and safety.

Bishop Malone has urged parishioners to pray for him upon upon his release, as well as his victims.

He also asks them to pray for the diocese, saying it is important to forgive without forgetting.

SIC: ABC