Oliver O’Grady, the ex-Irish priest convicted of paedophile offences who was living under a false identity in the Netherlands until February this year, receives a monthly pension from the Roman Catholic church.
“This is extremely upsetting for the survivors of his abuse who are many in number… It was very upsetting to see him refuse to testify and then still not testify when he was ordered by the courts.”
Despite his decision not to testify, Father O’Grady was found guilty of sexual abuse and spent seven years behind bars. After being extradited to Ireland he moved to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where he lived until February this year. The former priest’s identity only came to light a few weeks ago, after the airing on Dutch television of a 2006 documentary about him called Deliver Us From Evil.
Amy Berg talks to RNW reporter Robert Chesal
Amy Berg, who directed Deliver Us From Evil says she has spoken to a family in Rotterdam and is concerned about O’Grady’s motives:
“The thing that scared me the most is this picture that I got where he was standing around a group of young girls, staring at them as this young baby had just gotten baptised… I started making calls and enquiries and it sounded like he has immersed himself in the way he had in California.”
Repeating a pattern
Ms Berg, who got to know Father O’Brady well during the filming of the documentary, told Radio Netherlands Worldwide there were other similarities between his life in California – where he committed the abuse – and his situation in Rotterdam:
“He had become very close with a family that had very similar characteristics with the Gionno family who I profiled in my film. There was an Irish mother and he was travelling with them and they had a little baby. There were a lot of things that I know from all the time I spent with Oliver would be temptations for him.”
“I can’t say what he was doing, I just know that his history is that he’s abused possibly up to 100 children in America and he did tell me he still had temptations…So right now it’s just a big question mark unfortunately.”
No proof
Rotterdam police say there is no evidence Father O’Grady committed further offences during his time in the Netherlands, confirming they were aware of his background and paid him monthly visits the whole time he was here. Amy Berg says it’s not enough, and argues the church in Rotterdam where he was a parishioner should have carried out better checks:
“In 2003 the Vatican, through numerous different countries, released a statement that they were going to start screening out all volunteers and lay officials for their history. Had the church where Oliver was volunteering in Rotterdam done such a thing, I don’t think that they ethically would have allowed him to be in those situations with children.
“I just think it’s a huge temptation so I think they need to identify people they have been shuffling around. It’s clear they’re still priests out there that have abused that are still in different churches and I think they have to be proactive about this and come forward with all the information.”
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It's pretty upsetting to find out that he is receiving a pension each month. That's not fair at all and measures must be taken. We must protect our children and demand justice at the same time.
Abby - contracts for difference consultant.
As a catholic I do not agree with all the things of the Catholic Church. But after looking into O'Grady and how the Catholic Church did NOT deal with him as well as the authorities. I OFFICIALLY RENOUNCE the Catholic belief! I am just appalled how they and also the several involved governments did NOT do anything to keep this man behind bars! NO! they PRAISED him by giving him money and letting him live a live as a free man! If this was a non religion issue the guy would be rotting in jail or maybe sent to death, but NO it's church related so let's just hide it and pretend it NEVER happened!? HE SEXUALLY ABUSED OVER 100 KIDS!!! And people just take that???? He has the nerve to write them letters to apologize??? So what? He can be forgiven and go to heaven??? I do believe there is a God, and I also believe that no matter what the church does or this guy thinks he can do what he wants because he is protected by the church and several governments..I know he will suffer now and forever for what he did to all these kids AND their families in ways that goes beyond anyone's imagination! Shame on the Catholic Church, Shame on the governments who try hiding this and shame on the people who want to be even related to the Catholic Church!!
As a catholic I do not agree with all the things of the Catholic Church. But after looking into O'Grady and how the Catholic Church did NOT deal with him as well as the authorities. I OFFICIALLY RENOUNCE the Catholic belief! I am just appalled how they and also the several involved governments did NOT do anything to keep this man behind bars! NO! they PRAISED him by giving him money and letting him live a live as a free man! If this was a non religion issue the guy would be rotting in jail or maybe sent to death, but NO it's church related so let's just hide it and pretend it NEVER happened!? HE SEXUALLY ABUSED OVER 100 KIDS!!! And people just take that???? He has the nerve to write them letters to apologize??? So what? He can be forgiven and go to heaven??? I do believe there is a God, and I also believe that no matter what the church does or this guy thinks he can do what he wants because he is protected by the church and several governments..I know he will suffer now and forever for what he did to all these kids AND their families in ways that goes beyond anyone's imagination! Shame on the Catholic Church, Shame on the governments who try hiding this and shame on the people who want to be even related to the Catholic Church!!
I feel ever so slightly irritated with Ms. Berg's comments and feel the need to make an important point.
I am a member of the church in Rotterdam where Mr. O'Grady was attending. We are not some large organized church, we are a group of around 30 families who just want to hear the mass in English. Because we are so small, effectively everyone is a volunteer. Everyone pitches in each Sunday to celebrate mass. What are we supposed to do? Say you can't join us unless we run a background check on you? While I and everyone at the church is stunned to hear of Francis' past, I'm not sure how we could have done things differently.
I am appreciative of your comments, explaining more fully what the situation was like in Rotterdam. I come from the area in California where O'Grady was once a priest and am doing an update on him. I'd love to hear from you directly, even if you don't want to use your name, about your impressions on Father Francis while he was with you. Thanks. Sue Nowicki, snowicki@modbee.com
HIS NAME IS NOT FATHER Frances!! His Name is Oliver Frances SCUMBAG Ogrady!
I think that if it is true that he was working as a DEACON of the church it CERTAINLY is the Churches obligation in looking into ANYONE that has such a trusted role. It is sad that anyone would see this as ANYTHING other than wanting CHILDREN and the Vulnerable KEPT SAFE! He is NOT a good man ...NOT a CHANGED MAN! He is Dangerous..and ALWAYS will be! And SHAME on McDonalds for not looking into his Criminal USA records as well.
Hi Nancy - If you are the same Nancy - well said - good for you. Hope you are well and safe and making a good life for yourself. Best Wishes.
No one who has molested 100 children should be out of prison. Is is beyond shameful that the church would buy him off to keep him silent and they should also be criminally charged for hiding evidence and making these crimes continuously possible. Cardinal Mahony is a protector of pedophiles and should face prosection. Beyond that the church should be stripped of any special status and they should be forced to turn over their records or all go hide in the VAtican City where they can molest anyone they want. There are no children in the Vatican City. This whole thing is revolting.
Anyone who has seen the movie, "Deliver Us from Evil," will clearly see that there is definitely evil alive and present in the Catholic church. Not only is O'Grady one of the most unrepentant, remorseless human being I have ever seen, but Mahony is just as much a monster for covering up for and lying about this man. O'Grady served some time,but now he is out and about to continue molesting whomever he chooses. No one is keeping and eye on him, and with the money the Church is paying him he can go wherever he pleases, which includes any place where there are children and vulnerable adults whom he can sexually molest. The horror never ends, and the hierarchy of the Catholic church, like Mahony, continue to live off the fat of the people they are supposed to protect. Truly, God, deliver us from such evil.
The Los Angeles District Attorney's office has been asked to investigate Cardinal Roger Mahony for bribery, witness tampering and obstruction of justice regarding the diocesan-funded annuity O'Grady holds.
In the film "Deliver Us From Evil," O'Grady divulged that on the night before he was to testify in a civil case about what Mahony knew when about O'Grady's abuse, diocesan representatives offered O’Grady an annuity if he would not appear.
O’Grady had already been convicted criminally, was sentenced to prison for seven years, so facing a possible contempt charge for not testifying in a civil case meant nothing.
By all accounts, the church bought silence, and Mahony has so far escaped prosecution, though a federal investigation is ongoing.
Any child within reach of Oliver O'Grady is in danger.
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