A prolific paedophile priest whose offending is "unparalleled in Australia", according to his defence counsel, is likely to die in prison.
Key points:
- 88-year-old Gerald Ridsdale pleaded guilty in June this year to a further 13 charges of sexual abuse
- The charges relate to the abuse of two boys in Mortlake in the early 1980s where Ridsdale was a catholic priest
- The elderly man has refused to read victim impact statements
Gerald Francis Ridsdale, aged 88, is serving a total sentence of 37 years in Hopkins Correctional Centre in south-west Victoria.
The former Catholic priest served in parishes in western Victoria after being ordained in 1961.
Since 1993, Ridsdale has pleaded guilty to dozens of charges relating to the sexual abuse of 71 individuals.
In April this year, he was charged with 13 additional sexual offences after two men came forward.
He pleaded guilty in Warrnambool county court in June this year to abusing the men when they were under the age of 16 while he was serving as a priest in Mortlake in 1981 and 1982.
During the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, it was made clear the Catholic Church knew of Ridsdale's abuse in 1975.
The church continued to move the priest as the offending came to light.
Former priest's decline in health
The former priest held his head in his hands as details of the offending were read to the court.
Ridsdale admitted to four charges of indecent assault and nine charges of sexual penetration of a person aged between 10 to 16.
Defence counsel Tim Marsh admitted despite offering to read victim impact statements to Ridsdale he has refused.
The elderly inmate faces limited mobility due to issues with severe osteoarthritis, which often leaves him bed bound.
Mr Marsh said Ridsdale was often in a "great deal of pain" and was effectively in palliative care while in prison.
In submissions to Judge Claire Quin, Mr Marsh argued Ridsdale's advanced age and declining health should be factored in sentencing.
"There should be a sentence that runs concurrently … not additional time in jail," Mr Marsh said.
"Something has to, and ought to, give way."
Mr Marsh also added, due to the former priest's "indiscriminate" offending, he did not have any memory of the specifics of the abuse.
Decades of abuse, cover-ups, intimidation
Gerald Ridsdale was first sentenced over the abuse of children in his parish in 1993.
The court heard today that Ridsdale would intimidate those he allegedly abused by saying "no-one is going to believe you" or "it's your fault".
Prosecutor Stephen Devlin insisted there must be further penalty for Ridsdale despite his current lengthy sentence, age, and illness.
"It cannot be the case, that if there is a victim 73 … or a victim out there that wants to come forward … that there will be no direct penalty against the accused," Mr Devlin said.
"Where is the justice in that?"
The Ballarat Diocese, which covers the area of Mortlake and Western Victoria, has been contacted for comment.
Ridsdale will be sentenced for a seventh time at a date to be set.