Blenheim priest discharged without conviction

by NZ CATHOLIC staff

Former St Mary’s parish priest father Alastair Aidan Kay cp was discharged by the Courts without conviction on a charge of indecent assault.
Fr Kay, 71, appeared in the Blenheim District Court today for sentencing on the charge against a male who was over 16 years old. He admitted to committing the act in September.
Judge Bruce Davison said the act committed by Fr Kay was “fairly low level” and that a conviction will outweigh the gravity of the offense. However, Judge Davison stressed the act was “made worse by the substantial breach of trust not only to the complainant himself, but also his family and the wider church community.”
Fr Kay was paying the victim $1,500 in emotional harm reparations.
Wellington Archbishop John Dew didn’t wish to comment on the decision of the Courts.
“But I would like to confirm that Fr Aidan Kay cp is no longer in ministry in the Archdiocese of Wellington so responsibility for him is now solely with the Passionist Order under the leadership of their Provincial, Fr Tom McDonagh cp based in Australia,” he said.
“Fr McDonagh cp has indicated that following the conclusion of the Court case the Order will commence their own Professional Standards Committee process to make their own findings on Aidan’s future,” the archbishop added.
A letter from the Passionist order of priests in Australia presented to the Courts said Fr Kay would no longer be able to reside with other brother but he would still be provided with financial assistance.
Fr Kay has been a member of the order for almost 50 years.

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