Religion

True Dough

(20,245 posts) Tue Nov 27, 2018, 12:23 PM Nov 2018

Forcing child into sex act wasn't indecent assault in the 1970s, Aussie priest's lawyer argues

Peace be with you, father. Go forth and prosper! I mean, rot in hell, you miserable SOB!!

Lawyers appealing former archbishop of Adelaide Phillip Wilson's conviction for covering up child abuse have argued that convincing a child to perform a sex act did not constitute indecent assault in the 1970s.

Wilson was convicted in May of concealing the indecent assault of a boy by paedophile priest Jim Fletcher in the Hunter region of NSW.

The court found that in 1976 the victim confided in Wilson that he had been sexually abused, yet Wilson failed to report it to police when Fletcher was charged with other child sex offences in 2004.

Wilson is currently serving a minimum sentence of six months' home detention, but is persisting with an appeal of his conviction.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-27/former-archbishop-phillip-wilson-appeals-conviction/10559390

7 replies

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Highlight:

Forcing child into sex act wasn't indecent assault in the 1970s, Aussie priest's lawyer argues (Original Post) True Dough Nov 2018 OP

So, he isn't denying having covered it up. Mariana Nov 2018 #1

At least he has no shortage of believers making apologies for him Major Nikon Nov 2018 #2

Just six months of home detention? marylandblue Nov 2018 #3

He was just, you know, helping the lad find his way... MineralMan Nov 2018 #4

They'll do ANYTHING but take responsibility. trotsky Nov 2018 #5

Worse, they don't understand that is why they fail. MineralMan Nov 2018 #6

Seems to be a popular argument with religionists Major Nikon Nov 2018 #7

Mariana

(15,095 posts)

1. So, he isn't denying having covered it up.

Reply to True Dough (Original post)

Tue Nov 27, 2018, 12:45 PM

Nov 2018

He's arguing that covering it up was a good and righteous thing to do. All righty then.

Major Nikon

(36,900 posts)

2. At least he has no shortage of believers making apologies for him

Reply to True Dough (Original post)

Tue Nov 27, 2018, 12:46 PM

Nov 2018

So there's that.

marylandblue

(12,344 posts)

3. Just six months of home detention?

Reply to True Dough (Original post)

Tue Nov 27, 2018, 01:03 PM

Nov 2018

He should be happy he got off so lightly and just do his time.

MineralMan

(147,572 posts)

4. He was just, you know, helping the lad find his way...

Reply to True Dough (Original post)

Tue Nov 27, 2018, 01:13 PM

Nov 2018

And he ended up being promoted to be an Archbishop, to boot.

Asshole. Harming innocent children in the name of Jesus. Too bad Hell doesn't exist...

trotsky

(49,533 posts)

5. They'll do ANYTHING but take responsibility.

Reply to True Dough (Original post)

Tue Nov 27, 2018, 01:35 PM

Nov 2018

It's beyond disgusting.

MineralMan

(147,572 posts)

6. Worse, they don't understand that is why they fail.

Reply to trotsky (Reply #5)

Tue Nov 27, 2018, 01:56 PM

Nov 2018

So, the ancient hierarchy keeps doing what it has always done. Massive amounts of inertia are involved - so much so that changing direction or speed has become impossible at this point.

The RCC Train is on a steep downgrade and the brakes failed ages ago. If you're there, get away from the tracks.

Major Nikon

(36,900 posts)

7. Seems to be a popular argument with religionists

Reply to True Dough (Original post)

Wed Nov 28, 2018, 11:48 AM

Nov 2018

Just the other day one floated the idea that just because someone is a rapist and a wife beater, doesn't mean they can't provide inspiration against sexual harassment.

All it really does is underscore the problem with organized religion. Religionists have the unshakeable idea that religion is always a force for good, which is why they are driven to apologia for even the worst of it.

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