Former Catholic bishop Ronald Mulkearns leaves most of $2.1m estate to church

EXCLUSIVE: THE Catholic bishop blamed over the sexual abuse of hundreds of children has left the church most of his $2.1 million estate — money that will now be set aside for sexual abuse victims.

Former Bishop and retired priest Ronald Mulkearns and a map showing his Fairhaven property. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

BALLARAT Bishop Paul Bird has confirmed more than $2 million left to the church by former bishop Ronald Mulkearns will be used to support victims of child sexual abuse.

In a statement issued to the Herald Sun today Bishop Bird said the decision had been made to set aside all funds for that purpose.

“Whatever the diocese of Ballarat receives from Bishop Mulkearns’ estate I intend to set aside for assistance to victims of abuse. This will continue the support that the diocese has given to abuse victims over many years.”

Earlier it emerged Mulkearns, the Catholic bishop blamed over the sexual abuse of hundreds of children, had left the church most of his $2.1 million estate.

Mulkearns, who died in April, left a Fairhaven property valued at $2.1 million and about $40,000 cash, to the Ballarat diocese he once ran.

Mulkearns said the money was to be used by current Bishop Bird “for the benefit of the Catholic diocese of Ballarat at his absolute discretion”.

Mulkearns’ Fairhaven property valued at $2.1 million. Picture: Mitch Bear

Ronald Mulkearns’ Aireys Inlet house (orange timber weatherboard). Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Ronald Mulkearns leaving Geelong Court. Picture: Mike Dugdale

The Herald Sun contacted the church for comment yesterday afternoon. By late Monday night, the church had not replied.

From 1971 to 1997, while Mulkearns was bishop of Ballarat, hundreds of local children were molested by a nest of paedophile clerics. Victims of clerical abuse have now called for his money to be used for compensation and for support programs for those who suffered at paedophile priests’ hands.

Ballarat abuse survivor Andrew Collins said: “Mulkearns moved around clergy who he knew had sexually abused children. By doing so he effectively facilitated the rape of children in the church.

“His assets should be distributed to victims whose lives have been destroyed and damaged by his actions,” Mr Collins said.

Ronald Mulkearns at his home in Aireys Inlet. Picture: Ian Currie

Fellow Ballarat abuse survivor Stephen Woods called on the church to put the money in a dedicated fund for victims: “That should be the only course of action.

“It is both an opportunity to help victims and save some small amount of face for the diocese.”

In February, Mulkearns told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse he had failed as a bishop.

He admitted shuffling offending priests around parishes despite knowing of their crimes.

“I’m terribly sorry that I didn’t do things differently,” he said.

“I didn’t really know what to do or how to do it.”

Last year, Bishop Bird told the royal commission the diocese had dealt with more than 130 claims for compensation so far. Despite paying some just $5000, he doubted the diocese would have sufficient funds to meet future claims.

Of the claims so far, more than 70 were linked to priest Gerald Ridsdale, Australia’s most incorrigible paedophile.

He has admitted abusing at least 54 children, but has said the total is in the hundreds.

In his 2012 will, Mulkearns ordered that almost his entire estate, including his pictures, paintings and furniture, go to the church. Books, and anything not wanted by the Ballarat diocese, was left to his only brother Geoffrey.

His ecclesiastical vestments were left to Father Adrian McInerney, now parish priest at St Alipius, where many of Ballarat’s notorious paedophiles were once stationed.

Mulkearns directed that his Fairhaven property, believed to have been left to him by his father, be sold, and his nephews have first option to buy it.

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