Notorious Australian pedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale dies in prison
What's the story
Australia's most notorious pedophile and former Catholic priest Gerald Ridsdale has died at the age of 90.
Ridsdale died on Tuesday morning in prison, where he had been serving a sentence since 1994.
The former priest was convicted of sexually abusing over 70 children during his three-decade-long stint as a priest, which began in 1961.
Abuse details
Ridsdale's abuse spanned across 3 regions
Ridsdale used his position as a priest to gain the trust of his victims and their families, mostly in regional Victoria.
He was also accused of similar offenses in New South Wales and the United States, where he underwent church-connected sex offender treatment.
Further charges were leveled against him after Victoria police's Sano taskforce investigated historical child sexual abuse.
Pell investigation
Cardinal Pell's connection to Ridsdale investigated
The late Cardinal George Pell lived with Ridsdale in the 1970s and even went to court with him in 1993, providing character evidence for him.
The child abuse Royal Commission examined Pell's knowledge of Ridsdale's offenses while he worked in the Ballarat diocese.
The commission concluded that as early as 1973, Pell knew about possible child sexual abuse by priests.
Despite denying knowledge about moving Ridsdale from Mortlake parish to Sydney, the Royal Commission dismissed the claim.
Advocates' response
Victims' advocates respond to Ridsdale's death
Leonie Sheedy, co-founder of Care Leavers Australia Network, said Ridsdale's death "doesn't erase the misery he caused."
Child protection group Bravehearts's CEO Alison Geale said, "Gerald Ridsdale's death does not erase the immense suffering he inflicted on innocent children and their families."
Beyond Abuse's Steve Fisher said few would mourn Ridsdale's passing.
Church knowledge
Ridsdale's history of abuse known by diocese
The 2017 Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse confirmed Ridsdale was moved between parishes when abuse claims arose.
The Diocese of Ballarat had known about his offending since the 1960s.
By 1982, Bishop Ronald Mulkearns was aware of Ridsdale's actions.
Despite knowing, Ridsdale continued to serve in various roles within the church.
Final years
Ridsdale's final years marked by additional charges, poor health
In August last year, Ridsdale pleaded guilty to eight more child sexual assault charges.
His last court appearance saw him frail, and he was excused from recent hearings due to ill health.
Since a fall in Nov 2022, Ridsdale had been bedridden and suffered chronic pain and muscle wasting.
He was serving a maximum 40-year sentence for sexually abusing at least 72 children during his priest tenure between 1973 and 1981.