Clergy Sexual Offender List

A-D

Please ensure you have read the introduction on the entry page to the perpetrator lists - it covers vital information about--
1) the way offenders move between cities, countries and denominations, and often even use variations of their name to avoid being tracked. 
2) the difference between licences (or faculties) being revoked and offenders being defrocked
3) the different sections of this list
3) the link to the Australian Press Council adjudication confirming the public interest in publication of offenders' names
4) the limiting of the list to sexual abuse and clergy only
5) the number of offenders listed

CONVICTED CLERGY, OR WHERE OFFENCES OTHERWISE CONFIRMED

Ainsworth, Br Godfrey "Allen" (78) Melbourne Franciscan brother, Catholic parish priest and Mercy Hospital chaplain. - In 2000 the Catholic Church agreed to pay sex abuse victim $200,000 compensation after Church Commission into Sexual Abuse accepts as "substantially correct" victim's allegations against 3 priests, including Br Godfrey Ainsworth, Fr Francis ELLUL and Br Regis SMITH. Commission hears Ainsworth, of Waverley, Sydney, in 1982 indecently assaulted female victim, aged 34, in Melbourne. Commission told priest forced penis into victim's mouth and ordered her into city sex shop. Media describes payment as "near-record". The victim had made her first formal complaint in 1975, but compensation was only forthcoming after she spoke to the media in 1999.
Aitchison, John Phillip (45) Anglican - Convicted July 1996 for acts of indecency on boys 1986, 1988. Sentenced to 3 years imprisonment with minimum 18 months. Pleaded guilty December 1996 to sexual intercourse with boy under 16yo. Ordained 1987. Three prior convictions including 1973 and 1986.
Ayles, Raymond Frederick (48) Anglican - Convicted April 1993 of attempting to procure two 15yo boys to commit acts of gross indecency (asked boys to masturbate in front of him while he gave sex education talk). 12 month suspended sentence and $250/18 month good behaviour bond. Lost Order of Australia medal. Appeal dismissed June 1993. Ayles has worked in both SA and Qld.
Ayres, John "Jack", RCC Salesian Brother - 2000 Accused of raping a student at a Victorian boarding school in the 1960s.  The Salesians paid the victim $45,000 monetary settlement and transferred Ayres to Samoa, where he still ministers. During the complaint, the victim was told Ayres had been transferred to Samoa as a result of another complaint a year or two earlier. 
Baker, Wilfred James (62) RCC - Pleaded guilty 1999 to 16 charges. Convicted on 17. (Charged with 22 counts against 8 boys 1960-79). Sentenced to 4 years jail. Archbishop made aware of allegations 1978 and transferred Baker to another parish. Baker served at Benalla, East Brighton, Eltham, Gladstone Park, Jordanville, Maryborough, Mordialloc, Richmond and Doveton, Vic.
Bazely, Frank Dennis Martin, Anglican - 1997 Pleaded guilty to 12 counts against two boys and their sister 1969-75. Jailed for maximum 5 years.
Bellemore, Roger Michael (70) Catholic priest - 2006 Convicted of indecent assault against 4 boys aged 9-15 in Burnie from 1967-71.  Sentenced to 5 years jail, with non-parole period of 3 years.  Another priest, Fr GF, was charged at the same time, but has so far avoided court by pleading ill-health. 
Beninati, William aka Brother Vales, RCC - Charged with indecent assault against pupil at St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill.
Best, Robert Charles (55) RCC Christian Brother - Convicted 1996 of two counts of indecently assaulting an 11-year-old pupil in May and August 1969 while headmaster and grade six teacher at St Alipius' Primary School, Ballarat East [see also Edward Dowlan; Best and Dowlan taught in the same school, as did Stephen Farrell and Gerald Ridsdale. In July 1996 the Herald Sun revealed that a ring of paedophiles shared boys at the school, regularly attacking within hours of each other. In 1971, the entire male teaching staff were molesting the 8 to 11 year old students]. According to the trial judge, the Christian Brothers had banned Brother Best from teaching or taking pupils on camps. Sentenced to nine months jail, suspended for 2 years.
Bongiorno, Anthony Salvatore (61) RCC priest - 1996 Charged on 9 counts, including indecent assault and sexual penetration, involving 3 boys under 10 between 1981 and 1986.
Booth, Warren Douglas (49) RCC - 1996 Convicted of indecent assault against 12yo boy at local swimming pool while training as a priest. Sentenced to 12 months jail.
Bosse, Harry (37) Church of Nazarene pastor - 1992 South Australia. Pleaded guilty to 12 counts of indecent assault and four of gross indecency against two boys and a girl aged 8-14 in 1973-78. Bosse had been a scout leader and a policeman and left the Scouts and the police force when rumours of his behaviour started circulating. He then married, and spent 3 years in Qld training as a pastor. He left the church in 1990 after police questioned him about the offences. Sentenced to 12 months jail suspended, and 250 hours of community service. Bosse admitted during the trial that he had continuing tendencies and victim support organisations criticised the judge's ruling as a result. Bosse served as scoutmaster at Apollo Bay, Brunswick, Ivanhoe, Northcote, Preston and Watsonia, VIC before moving to Parafield Gardens, Adelaide.
Brazier, Peter William (56) Anglican priest - 2002 Found guilty of six counts of indecent assault and one count of unlawful sexual intercourse. Brazier told detectives he had known the boy and his family for about 18 months. He admitted to buying the boy gifts and to watching a pornographic video with the boy before sexually assaulting him. These offences (and Brazier's approach to the boy) were almost identical to those for which he was convicted in 1994, when he pleaded guilty to three counts of indecently assaulting a 16-year-old boy in the boy's home and also at Brazier`s parish house. He told police the boy had progressively become attractive to him, and admitted to hugging and fondling him 100 to 200 times. He was given a two year suspended sentence. After the first set of offences, Brazier received psychological treatment and a subsequent report from his doctor said it was unlikely he would re-offend. On the basis of that report, Brazier was appointed priest to another parish in South Australia, where he committed the second set of offences. Both victims had gone to Brazier for counselling after family crises. The court criticised the church for shifting a priest with child sex conviction to another parish and recommendation made that in future all priests and lay workers in SA undergo police checks before being employed by church.
Briscoe, Phillip Martin Lawrence, Salvation Army - Pleaded guilty 1999 to possession of child pornography (photos of his foster children). Fined $1200.
Brown, Desmond (54) RCC St Gerard Society - 1992 Convicted of indecent assault on girl at tram stop. Fined $1000. Lost appeal.
Brown, Rex (54) RCC priest and scoutmaster - 1996 Pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography. Fined $300.
Browning, George, Anglican - 1999 Special Tribunal found Browning had committed sexual misconduct in 1984 with a parishioner who he was counselling over her marriage break-up. He resigned as bishop, although the Anglican Primate expressed the hope he would still practice as a priest. Browning's resignation was not accepted by his diocese and he was reinstated as bishop. He subsequently publicly supported Dr Peter Hollingworth (Governor-General and former Anglican archbishop of Brisbane) over claims of abuse cover-up.
Burgess, Ross David (51) RCC priest - 1998 Appeared in Launceston Magistrates Court on child sex offences, including unlawful sexual intercourse and indecent assault, against boy, aged 16, between January and March 1996 at Orford, northeast of Hobart. Court hears Burgess, of Kings Meadows, Launceston, assaulted boy while priest at New Norfolk, Tas. In 1999, charges adjourned indefinitely after victim disappears amid mother's fears he had taken own life. In 2002, victim's body found in bushland at Don Reserve, Devonport. Devonport CIB still investigating.
Burton, Keith John (55) Protestant pastor - Pleaded guilty 1996 to seven counts including maintaining a sexual relationship with a boy under 13, indecent treatment of a boy and indecent dealing with a boy. The victims were two brothers, 14yo and 12yo. One charge referred to Burton getting one victim to sodomise him. The offences occurred during church outings, fishing trips and Bible classes in North Brisbane Protestant Church. Sentenced to 7 years jail with a recommendation for parole after 3 years.
Butler, Thomas John aka "Brother Pat" (72) Marist Brother and Catholic school mathematics teacher - 2002 Committed for trial in Brisbane District Court on 1 count of indecently dealing with schoolboy, aged 11, in 2001 at Ashgrove Marist Brothers College, Brisbane.
Cakacaka, Tevita (37) Mt Annan Christian Life Centre pentecostal church preacher- 2001 Appeared in Parramatta Local Court charged with indecently assaulting female passenger, age unknown, in 2000 during train trip between Sydney and Melbourne. Court hears passenger awoke at 3am to find Cakacaka, of Mt Annan Christian Life Centre, near Camden, southwest of Sydney, fondling her leg and smiling 40cm from her face.
Carroll, John Joseph aka Brother Brendan George (b.1903) De La Salle brother - 2005 De La Salle order made an out of court settlement with a victim of Br Brendan, not to be confused with the then-bishop of Canberra-Goulburn diocese, who was Br Brendan's nephew.  The victim disclosed that she had been molested by Carroll on many occasions from 1946-47, when she was 10 years old.  The church's initial response, both by the Order and the PSRG, was to question the victim's veracity and ignore the complaint.  However, she persisted by forwarding her complaint to all the members of the national (bishops') committee for professional standards.  Eventually, the victim was issued with an acknowledgement, apology and compensation.  Br Brendan died in 1983.  A second victim also received an apology from the De La Salle Brothers for abuse by Br Brendan.  For more detail, see http://brokenrites.alphalink.com.au/nletter/page101-carroll.html
Carter, Gregory, Marist Brother - 1997 Pleaded guilty to 15 charges of indecent treatment against one boy at St Augustine's College, Qld (Cairns). The boy was a 15yo boarder under Carter's care, and the abuse happened when Carter entered the dormitory after lights-out and touched the boy in bed.  The boy complained to the school principal, who removed Carter from the school.  Carter was subsequently appointed as a school principal in Townsville.  The case went to court when the boy's parents complained to the police.  Carter was sentenced in Brisbane Magistrate's Court to 18 months jail.
Cattell, Richard St John (54) RCC - 1994 Pleaded guilty 1994 to 5 counts of indecently assaulting 14yo boy, who went to Cattell for help after being molested by schoolteacher (Cattell told the victim "It's normal; don't worry about it" and then embarked on a two year cycle of abuse). Sentenced to 2 years jail. Cattell was at the time serving as the Vicar-General of the Parramatta Diocese, was the administrator who received allegations of sexual abuse within the diocese, and was still listed as a priest in the 1996 Australian Catholic Directory. He is not listed as a priest in the 2002 Directory.
Christian, David Austin (52) Marist Brother and school principal - Pleaded guilty 1995 to 8 counts against two boys 10 and 11yo, who were students at the school where Christian was the principal. Fined $10,500. Fine paid by Marist Brothers, although the judge stipulated that Christian should be made to carry out duties he would not normally perform, to the value of the fine. Christian was assigned to work as a school cleaner during non-school hours.
Claffey, Robert (55) RCC priest - 1998 Pleaded guilty to indecent assault on 2 boys aged 12 and 13 while counselling them after their sister's death in a road accident. Received good behaviour bond.
Cleary, Patrick Joseph (63) RCC priest - Pleaded guilty 1998 to molestation of 2 boys aged 15 and 16yo. Molestation of 15yo occurred in the confessional box just after boy's mother's death. Received 15 month sentence, served at Arthur Gorrie Correctional Facility.
Coffey, Bryan Desmond (64) RCC - Convicted 1999 of 13 counts of indecent assault and 1 count of false imprisonment against 7 boys and 1 girl aged 6-14yo between 1963-75. Three year sentence suspended on appeal. Coffey's offences occurred at Ballarat, Ouyen and Port Fairy, Vic.
Coffey, Gregory Vincent (48) Marist Brothers school principal and trainee Salesian Brother - Melbourne: Pleaded guilty January 1994 to indecent assault on 4 students 1975-76. Coffey left the school at the end of 1986 and worked for three years at another school. Two year good behaviour bond, no conviction recorded. Pleaded guilty October 1994 to indecent assault on two more boys from the same school in the same period. Placed on two year good behaviour bond, no conviction recorded. Pleaded guilty in 1997 to 6 counts indecent assault. Sentenced to 2½ years jail suspended for 2½ years plus pay victims $7500 each in instalments.
Cole, Victor Roland (59) Anglican - 1996 Complaint from victim of being sexually abused for 2½ years from the age of 14 (1980-83) led to both civil and church inquiries. Cole admitted the offences to Archbishop Goodhew and others but prevaricated in testimony to both police and court. Judge's finding in preliminary hearing was that there was sufficient corroborating testimony to confirm abuse occurred, but civil action was barred by statute of limitations. Cole's licence was revoked at the time of complaint. 7 years later, in February 2003, Cole was forced by the new archbishop to relinquish his orders, and is therefore no longer a minister.
Colley, Peter James, RCC priest - 1993 Pleaded guilty to indecent assault of adult male in public toilet. Sentenced to 12 month good behaviour bond.
Collison, Wayne Tyrone (59) - 1985 Pleaded guilty to abduction. 10yo girl ran away from home in Glen Innes in 1983, Collison took her to QLD. Judge decided it was an error of judgement but that the priest had the best interests of the girl at heart, and she had not been taken against her will. Fined $1000 and 3yr good behaviour bond.
Comensoli, Peter Lewis (55) RCC priest - Pleaded guilty 1994 to assault on two boys 10 and 14yo. Comensoli was ordained in 1965, served as parish priest at Campbelltown, then demoted to Berkeley, near Wollongong, where these offences occurred. Jailed for 18 months. Released April 1996 and was still listed as a priest on leave in the Wollongong diocese in the 2002 Australian Catholic Directory. Note: He should not be confused with Peter A Comensoli, chancellor in the Wollongong Diocese
Conlan, Douglas (52) RCC priest - 1999 Pleaded guilty to gross indecency against 16yo boy. 3 year suspended sentence.
Connell, Bernard (57) RCC priest - 1996 Committed for trial in Wagga Wagga District Court on 4 child sex charges, including 3 counts of indecent assault and 1 of committing unlawful sexual intercourse, against boy, aged 10, in 1964 at Junee, southeast NSW.
Connolly, Paul Anthony (66) RCC priest - 2001 Pleaded guilty to seven counts of indecent assault on 14yo girl between 1971 and 1973. At the time of pleading, Connolly remained a priest but had been removed from active duty. Sentenced to 8 months jail - 4 months behind bars, 4 months suspended sentence.
Consedine, Jim; New Zealand RCC priest - Removed from his parish and banned from preaching and public ministry in New Zealand in June 2003 after admitting sexual misconduct with several parishioners.  Consedine completed a programme for sexual offenders in Sydney, but by September 2003 was active as a guest preacher and speaker at Catholic ministries in the US.  When several of the victims complained, a Catholic Church spokesperson said the diocese had no control over what Consedine now does. 
Coote, Peter, Anglican - Three women made separate complaints to the church in 2003-4 that Archdeacon Coote (effectively the senior cleric under the bishop) had molested them while they were his parishioners.  Complainant 1 had been 47yo at the time of the offence in 1995.  Coote had forced her back door to let himself into the house and used threats to make her have sex with him.  She subsequently attempted suicide.  Complainant 2 was 42yo at the time of the offence in 1996.  She said Coote walked to her bedroom and pushed her on to the bed and climbed on top of her.  Complainant 3, 31yo at the time of the offence in 2003, said Coote began sending her sexually suggestive text messages, including one likening himself to Shane Warne.  The women's complaints triggered an internal investigation wherein the complaints were found credible, and the church disciplinary committee subsequently recommended Archdeacon Coote be subjected to a prohibition order and psychosexual assessment, have weekly supervision for six months and be restricted from ministering to women when alone.  However, the bishop of the diocese, Ross Davies, failed to act on the recommendations.  Coote continued as minister of Happy Valley Anglican and also in his senior position in the diocese.  Anglican Primate, Philip Aspinall, has now launched an inquiry into the handling of the case, and referred the matter to the police.
Cotton Victor Clifford (56) Adelaide pastor - 1997 Appeared in Adelaide District Court charged with 3 child sex offences, including 2 counts of unlawful sexual intercourse and 1 of indecent assault, against teenage boy in 1995 while pastor of Adelaide northern suburbs church. The victim was a former member of Cotton's congregation.
Cox, Kevin (66) RCC priest and Cistercian Brother - 1997 Convicted on 3 counts of indecent assault on girl aged 11 in 1976 at Caringbah Catholic church, Sydney. Receives 2 year periodic jail sentence in Campbelltown District Court . Court hears Cox fingered girl's genitals while rubbing himself against her until ejaculating. Alleged Cox gave the girl $200 towards cost of abortion during her HSC year. Conviction later overturned.
Creen, Neville Joseph (63) RCC priest - 2003 Pleaded guilty to 24 counts of indecent dealing involving 20 girls aged between 4 and 13 in Mt Isa parochial school.  Jailed for 3½ years, suspended after 14 months. 2004 Convicted of 6 counts against two further victims, and given a wholly suspended 2 year sentence.  Creen retired as a priest in 1994 and has since worked in business. 
Crombie, George (50) Uniting Church minister, former Baptist minister - March 2003 Suspended by the Uniting Church following sexual misconduct allegations by 5 women. A Sunday Herald Sun investigation found a total of 18 documented cases of victims. All were adult parishioners, many vulnerable due to life circumstances, and in many cases were exploited financially as well as sexually by Crombie. Immediately following his standing down, Crombie formed a local "singles" group, but subsequent to media disclosure of his suspension is believed to have fled to Perth.
Crump, John (58) Anglican priest - 2006 Crump was caught as part of the nationwide Operation Auxin and was expected to be charged with child pornography offences, but at the time the news went to press had been unable to be found.  According to a letter sent by the Diocesan Registrar and read to the parish, Crump admitted the offences and was suspended immediately.  However, he remains on full pay and able to claim employment entitlements, as well as being offered "counselling and other assistance".  Crump had run photography studios before candidating to the priesthood.  
Curnuck, Lawrence Joseph (74) Seventh Day Adventist youth leader - 1999 Receives 12 year jail sentence in Bunbury Supreme Court after pleading guilty to 20 child sex offences, including 14 counts of unlawful sexual intercourse, 5 of indecent assault and 1 of indecent dealing, against at least 2 girls, aged around 14, during 1970s at Busselton, south of Perth. Court hears Curnuck, of Busselton, took young girls on camping trips and other activities where he raped and molested them. Court told Curnuck earlier received 18 month jail sentence for indecently assaulting child, aged 14, in 1951. Note: Seventh Day Adventists do not have ordained clergy, so lay leaders are included in this list.
Daniel, David (57) RCC priest and RAAF chaplain - Convicted 2000 of 16 counts of indecent assault and gross indecency against 4 children under 16 (the youngest aged 6) from 1978-94. Sentenced to 6 years jail. Offences occurred at East Brighton, Healesville, Mt Waverley and Newport, Melbourne
Daniels, Louis Victor (51) Anglican archdeacon - Convicted 1999 on 6 counts of indecent assault and oral intercourse with 14yo boy in Tasmania. Jailed for 12 months.  Update: 2005  Daniels was extradited to Tasmania to face a further 13 charges of assault against young boys between 1973-1993, to which he pleaded guilty in May 2005.  NB. One of Daniels' victims runs a support group for victims of Tasmanian priests. Email him on devahotra@hotmail.com
D'Astoli, Christopher (50) RCC priest - 1994 Pleaded guilty to indecent assault of 13yo boy in 1969 while in seminary. The victim told a priest at his school, who informed the seminary, and D'Astoli withdrew from the priesthood a few days before he was due to be ordained. Sentenced to 3 year good behaviour bond and fined $750.
Day, John (69) RCC priest and Mildura monsignor (one rung below bishop) - 1997 Accused of numerous child sex offences, including committing unlawful sexual intercourse, gross indecency and indecent assault, against 14 boys and 2 girls, aged under 16, between 1957 and 1971 while parish priest at Sacred Heart Catholic church, Mildura, northwest VIC. Detective claims investigations commenced 1971 but dropped in 1972 by police superior believed to be friend of Day's superior, Bp Ronald MULKEARNS. Mildura Catholic moderator in 1997 claims allegations against Day "had substance" but charges not laid due to his death in 1978. Msgnr Day described as "good friend" of notorious convicted paedophile, Fr Gerald RIDSDALE.
Deal, Raymond John (51) RCC priest - 1999 Pleaded guilty to 3 charges of assaulting a 26-year-old man between Dec 98 and Mar 99. Sentenced to 2 years good behaviour bond for two offences and 4 months prison suspended for 2 years for the third offence.
Denham, John Sidney (75) RCC priest - 2001 Convicted 2 counts of indecent assault on 14yo student in 1979. At time of conviction was Christian Brothers college chaplain. Sentenced to 2 years suspended.  Complaint had first been made to the church in 1979 by the victim's mother.  More detail about Denham's history can be found at http://brokenrites.org.au/ Denham had previously been charged (but not convicted) of abuse in 1996.
Derriman, Francis (58) RCC priest - Convicted 1998 of indecent dealing with 15yo girl. Allegedly persuaded her to have sex because he was "terminally ill". Sentenced to 12 months suspended.
Dick, Gerard William (67) Christian Brother - Pleaded guilty 1994 to 10 counts of indecently dealing with boy under 14. Dick had confessed the offences to another priest at the time, but was not removed from his position as dormitory supervisor in a Catholic orphanage. Dick worked in Christian Brothers orphanages in WA for 19 years and was notorious for sadistic beatings and sexual molestation. Sentenced to 3½ years jail. Appeal dismissed November 1994.
Dowlan, Edward Vernon (45) Christian Brother and school vice-principal - Pleaded guilty 1996 to 16 counts against 11 victims between 1971-82. Originally charged with 76 counts, but 60 dropped in return for guilty plea. Offences occurred while Brother Dowlan was teaching at St Patrick's College, Ballarat, St Alipius' Primary School, East Ballarat, St Thomas' College, Forest Hill, and Cathedral College, East Melbourne. 9yrs8mth (maximum) sentence reduced on appeal to 6yrs6mth. One victim suicided in 1991. Victim's mother filed a suit for damages against Dowlan and the principal of St Patrick's College Ballarat in 1999.  For more about Dowlan and the Christian Brothers policy not to expel offenders, see http://brokenrites.org.au/
Down, Graeme James, (56) Christian Brother - 2007 Pleaded guilty in Perth to sexually assaulting three male pupils between 1981 and 1983.  One boy was 11yo, the other two under 14yo.   Down's lawyer said that his client had realised his inappropriate behaviour after a complaint about him to the Christian Brothers in 1984 had been dealt with, had sought counselling and had rehabilitated himself. Down left the Christian Brothers in 1999.  Sentenced to 30 months jail with parole after 15 months.
Doyle, Richard Joseph (69) Catholic priest - 2006  Appeared in Fremantle Magistrate's Court charged with molesting a 7yo girl in 1983-84.  Granted bail, case adjourned to committal mention on April 4th. 
Duffield, Robert Winston (55) Anglican minister and probation officer - Pleaded guilty 1996 of gross indecency against 12yo boy. Duffield masturbated boy on probation "about 25 times" after threatening him with bad report or "lock up" if he refused to obey. Received 6 month suspended sentence and fined $5000.
Dunne, James Paul, Seventh Day Adventist - July 2002 Pleaded guilty to 31 counts of sexual assault of a minor. Scheduled for sentencing 7 August 2002.
Durham, Reginald Basil (83) RCC Neerkol chaplain - Pleaded guilty Feb 1999 to 6 counts of indecently dealing. Jailed for 18 months with recommendation for parole after 4 months. Convicted Sept 1999 of rape against a 14yo orphan girl in 1966-67. Sentenced to jail for 7½ years. Judge criticised both a nun to whom the victim complained, and a former archbishop of Rockhampton. Conviction later overturned. Allegedly 20 counts still outstanding.
Dyson, John D. (47) Marist Brother - Pleaded guilty 1997 to four counts of indecent assault against 3 boys under 14, and admitted abusing "up to five times a week". Sentenced to 12 months community service order.

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Credits: In 2000, the Eros Foundation in Australia published a book entitled "Hypocrites" focusing on the high incidence of sexual crime in the church. Information from this source has been helpful in compiling the following list. "Hypocrites" can be read online in the archives of the National Library (PDF files, including illustrations) or as a text-only document on this site by clicking on this link. Further details were obtained from "The Australian Paedophile and Sex Offender Index" by Deborah Coddington. Data was also sourced from http://www.crimenet.com.au (to whom I express heartfelt appreciation for their co-operation) and http://www.antichrist.com.au/index.html (no longer operational), Broken Rites, news articles and other sources.

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