The church has a lot to answer for with the number of priests etc who have sexually abused children throughout the world. It seems they condone the abuse of inocent children. Don't tell me they don't know what is going on. These guys should be jailed for life. The number innocent kids whose lives have been destroyed by these men of god.........is disgusting but it still goes on. I say out with the sick minded priests and world youth day what a sham.........

I spoke to Fr Dwyer today. he said 3 people are involved in the complaints and he will be lodging a DEFAMATION action against the false claims he has been charged with. He does not comment on anyone lese but says 100% his charging is wrong and a vindictive act by a former student 10% he will fight the charge and sue the liar who is trying to frame him

From observation, Police do not take lightly the arrest of mature aged citizens in positions highly regarded in a town the size of Armidale. They are incredibly weary of defamation, wrongful arrest, etc. especially regarding serious violent crime. Daniel, you clearly know Fr Dwyer and it must be a terrible shock for anybody you know to be arrested for criminal charges, doubly so for the nature of these alleged crimes. However, it is important that those who have alleged these crimes (that is, the NSW Police Force) have their allegations tested by a law court.

I agree with Jack. Although it is obviously a shock for Daniel, it is important that due process takes place and the allegations are tested in court. However the credibility of the Catholic Church is at stake as more and more clergy are arrested.

Gaile says: "The church has a lot to answer for with the number of priests etc who have sexually abused children throughout the world." In Ireland there was a 3 year investigation (1999-2002) by up to 12 detectives into alleged sexual abuse at an Industrial School run by the Christian Brothers in Artane. Almost every Brother who ever worked in the school - about 80 - was accused. To date there has not been a single conviction. The Director of Public Prosecutions has approved ONE prosecution against ONE Brother and that should come to court shortly. The waste of police (and judicial) time is lunatic - especially if you consider that the 12 could otherwise have been investigating REAL CURRENT sex crimes instead of historical fantasies.

I am an ex student of St Stanislaus' ! I was fortunate enough to be sent to St Stannies as a Boarder and as an overseas Student from Fiji becuase friends of my fathers had their brothers go there during the WWII. I personally found this School to be the Best I had ever been to . It changed my Life to the Better , It made me an independant person with Strength and courage to stand up in what I believed in and served me well all my Life. When at 19yrs of Age I went to Western Australia, as you do when young) to work in the mines I in rapid time became the youngest Site Union Convenor to wield so much power for what I believed in. Today all my friends know how I am and what I still do is different to the rest. That ideal is still with me today and hence I write this without any connection to any one in Authority in the School, and without prejudice. I am only in connection my school mates and am stating only in what I know to be true for me. There are many students my Age 51yrs who will know me and stand by what I have stated. I have to say having Schooled in Convents and later Christian Brothers Manly This Particular School changed my Life to the better way and above all others and the alleged claims made by some of my fellow pupils amaze me , astound me and shock me for a number of reasons. Firstly it does not describe the named person, Brian Spillane was to me at the time I knew him. I considered him one of the most genuine and sincere priests in my day. He was the Dean of Discipline when I was there and later when I became a College Prefect he was the Deputy Dean of Discipline. This position is not one that does not come with it's problems. You can be the most unliked priests if you are the one dishing out the Discipline to students and you are guilty of school rules. Buth further he was an incredible teacher, he held Lyceums that helped us in Public Speaking, He was the Band master who directed the School Cadets to WIN 3 Waratah Sheilds in a row, he driected our Sunday Chirs at Mass and was always the First to call us to the Chapel to say Prayers when one of our Ex Students was in trouble in Hospital often saying the Rosaries for some time until that named person came out of Intensive care!. This is a man who Spiritually guided the Catholic Boys along a Path that Prayer was important, that there were Higher Spiritual Values to be obtained from Prayer as was demostated to us time and time again when ever a Studentt or Ex Student was in trouble! But it still can be hard for some boys and I guess it was when disciple was being dished out as I know personally, I personally had been attacked by other students because I was a College Prefect and I was trying do the right thing that my position demanded. It is a School, It happens no matter where you are, That is Scool life! We are Civilisation of men, And if you look around you today Men have gotten us into a fine mess Planet wide! This is another fine mess I would not like to see and neither would anyone else! I have recently spoken to my school mates who gather together regularly over the years since we left school in 1975 and that bond keeps us together even today which amazes many of my current friends not connected to Stannies. But over all I am sorry to hear this sort of thing has come up. If they did happen I am sure I would be willing to help both sides if true. I find very very hard to believe that Brian Spillane who embodied the Long line of terrific preists who served that School so well( since 1867) could be at the center of a scandal that I know very little of but wish it sorts out with fairness and justice because of what truth is and because Spiritual Values come to the fore. I speak for the Majority of all my School mates and do not condemn or condone anyone. I do want to say though that the Press has not Helped and I am sure the Police Media Liassions have not helped bring about Justice from my observation I am always always full of fond memories of St Stanislaus College, I always Looke forward to going back to Bathurst whenever I can. I was recently there in May to experiece the Cold Windy sleety rain as me and my Mates watched the Rugby. It does'nt dampen my spirits to be back there. I fell so much better after having left there to come back to Perth and next chance I get I will be back to visit again! Stanley J Smith, Perth Western AUstralia

Boarder from 39 to 43.The best 5 years of my life.Plenty of religion,study & sport.I never experienced any sexual overtures.I find it hard to believe what I have read in the media.Len Melrose.