What a beautiful day. Gerald Ridsdale, a convicted paedophile priest who abused over 70 children across three decades, has died at 90 in prison, where he had been held since 1994.
His offences commenced in 1961 at his ordination. Reports indicate that the Catholic Church was accused of consistently transferring him between parishes while being aware of his offences. He has been incarcerated since 1994 after his conviction for child abuse in southern and southwestern Victoria.
Gerald Ridsdale’s offences transformed Australia’s legal framework, impacted royal commissions and investigations, and discredited a previously unassailable church.
In 2023, a magistrate informed Gerald Ridsdale that he would “likely die in custody” while prolonging the then 89-year-old’s prison term by one additional year for the abuse of his 72nd victim.
Advocates for survivors assert that his death does not mitigate the significant misery he inflicted.
“Gerald Ridsdale’s death does not erase the immense suffering he inflicted on innocent children and their families. “Although some may perceive his death as the conclusion of a grim chapter, for survivors, the trauma and its repercussions persist,” stated Alison Geale, chief executive of the child protection organisation Bravehearts.
“Bravehearts supports all those impacted, emphasising that justice encompasses not only the punishment of offenders but also the continuous support, acknowledgement, and healing for survivors.”
The royal commission determined that Gerald Ridsdale’s victims likely numbered in the hundreds and established that the late Cardinal George Pell was aware of the abuse by 1982. Pell, however, vehemently contested this, asserting that he did not become aware of the charges until 1993.
Gerald Ridsdale experienced persistent agony and was confined to bed throughout his final years. Following a fall in his prison cell in 2022, where he remained undiscovered for hours, he became bedridden, enduring chronic agony, muscle atrophy, and limb weakening. He was permitted to participate in court proceedings exclusively through video connection.
The 90-year-old, Gerald Ridsdale, resided in the medical ward of Port Phillip Prison in Truganina, western Melbourne, following hospitalisation in March of the previous year due to declining health.
Leonie Sheedy, co-founder of the Care Leavers Australia Network, which supports abuse survivors from foster care, orphanages, and other state-run institutions, said Ridsdale’s death “doesn’t erase the misery he caused”.
If you are a child and you need help because something has happened to you, you can call Childline free of charge on 0800 1111. You can also call the NSPCC if you are an adult and you are worried about a child, on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adults on 0808 801 0331.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.