Wollongong 1993 to 2008: An accused priest resisted his removal for twelve years; the Congregation for the Clergy in Rome ruled in his favour, and the supreme tribunal took five and a half years

What happened to the people

How were they charged and sentenced?

1. Nestor was ordained in 1989 and from the late 1980s organised camps for children, including altar boys. In the early 1990s there were rumours and complaints about his conduct with boys. In 1993 Father Brian Lucas interviewed him on the bishop's behalf and, as was his practice, took no notes during or after the interview. According to the Royal Commission, this practice ensured that there was no written record of any admissions of criminal conduct, in order to protect the priest concerned and the Church.
   Evidence: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Australien, S. 7

   „From about the late 1980s1 Nestor organised camps for children in the Diocese.“

   Evidence: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Australien, S. 4

   „Father Lucas told us that, in keeping with his usual practice, he did not take notes during or after this interview.“

   Evidence: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Australien, S. 4, Feststellung 3

   „An outcome of Father Lucas’ practice of not taking notes of interviews, such as his interview with Nestor, was to ensure that there was no written record of any admissions of criminal conduct in order to protect the priest or religious concerned and the Church“

2. In December 1996 Nestor was convicted of aggravated indecent assault on a boy under sixteen; in October 1997 he was acquitted on appeal. The bishop forbade him by decree to exercise public ministry. Nestor disobeyed and celebrated mass several times, invited by two parish priests, which according to the commission undermined the protection of children.
   Evidence: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Australien, S. 7

   „In December 1996, he was convicted in the Wollongong Local Court of aggravated indecent assault and an aggravated act of indecency on a person under the age of 16 years. In October 1997, he was acquitted on appeal to the District Court of New South Wales.“

   Evidence: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Australien, S. 5

   „Nestor disobeyed his bishop and performed mass on more than one occasion.“

   Evidence: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Australien, S. 5, Feststellung 6

   „undermined Bishop Wilson’s efforts to protect children from possible sexual abuse by Nestor as a cleric“

What happened to those affected?

1. An independent investigation under the New South Wales Ombudsman Act sustained three of four allegations against Nestor. In October 2008 Pope Benedict XVI dismissed him from the clerical state. According to the commission, Bishop Ingham should have made public that this was because of the findings of sexual abuse.
   Evidence: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Australien, S. 5

   „This investigation resulted in three out of the four allegations against Nestor being sustained.“

   Evidence: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Australien, S. 5

   „Pope Benedict XVI dismissed Nestor from the priesthood in October 2008.“

   Evidence: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Australien, S. 6, Feststellung 9

   „Bishop Peter Ingham should have made it known publicly that Nestor had been dismissed from the clerical state because of the findings of child sexual abuse and other inappropriate conduct made against him.“