AUS : Fourth Catholic priest to be moved from accommodation near an ACT primary school

It has been revealed that the Catholic Church is in the process of removing a priest with a questionable background from a home near Ainslie Public School.

The Catholic Church last week removed three former priests accused of inappropriate behaviour towards children from a Catholic-run retirement home neighbouring two primary schools in Garran, in Canberra's south, in the wake of community outcry.

Today a letter was sent to the parents and carers of children at the Ainslie Public School in the ACT's north, saying the Education Directorate had sought assurances from the Catholic Church that there were no other arrangements in the ACT that "did not meet the expectations of the community". 

The letter explained the directorate was then advised there was one other arrangement, involving a priest accommodated near Ainslie Public School.

It said the church was seeking urgent resolution to the problem.

Last week the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn faced sustained pressure to explain why it allowed a priest accused of inappropriate conduct to live near Malkara Specialist School and the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School.

In response, Archbishop Christopher Prowse said the church "could have done better".

It was later revealed that two other priests were living in the same complex — and these men were also moved.

The Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn has been contacted for comment.