The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in
Victoria is facing a barrage of criticism after withdrawing the
criminal charges against a de-frocked Catholic Priest.
The complainant, now in her early 60s, has spent nearly a decade
trying to bring the case to court. She alleges that the former
Australian provincial leader of the Order of the Blessed Sacrament,
Thomas Knowles, sexually assaulted her when she was in her early
20s, and that they had a 'secret' relationship which lasted
14 years.
Psychological reports opined that the complainant had been
"groomed" since she was 19-years of age.
The priest's interaction with the complainant and another
woman, both his parishioners, was known to The Catholic Church.
