Father Ronald Pickering

Father Ronald Dennis Pickering was a former parish priest who served throughout most of his religious life within the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. Father Pickering was born in 1927 and was ordained as a priest in Melbourne, Victoria in 1957. Between 1958 to 1993, he served in the following parishes:

  • St Theresa’s Parish - Essendon, Vic (1958 to 1965);

  • St Kilda East Parish - East St Kilda, Vic (1966 to 1968);

  • Sacred Heart Catholic Parish - Warburton, Vic (1969 to 1972);

  • St Peter’s Parish - Clayton, Vic (1973 to 1978); and

  • St James’ Parish - Gardenvale, Vic (1978 to 1993).

In 1993, Royal Commission records show that Father Pickering suddenly fled to England after the Archdiocese of Melbourne had received legal correspondence in regard to allegations of sexual abuse made against Father Pickering. He never returned to Australia. It is reported that Father Pickering would groom and encourage his victims to smoke, drink, and watch pornography. Numerous of his victims were altar boys, choir boys and parish school boys who were abused in his bedroom, in church and school grounds, and on weekend trips. It is alleged that Father Pickering would lure his victims into his bedroom under the pretext of watching television/videos on his bed, which would often lead to drinking, playful wrestling and sexual intercourse.

Data produced and published by the Royal Commission in 2015, shows that 19 people have made a claim of child sexual abuse against Father Pickering. The alleged incidents are reported to have occurred between 1960 to 1989 (inclusive). 79% of the claimants were under the age of 13 years at the time and 21% were 13 years old or older. Of the 19 claimants, 18 were male and one was female. Furthermore, the allegations are reported to have occurred in 14 different institutions including both primary and high schools, churches, and rectories. All the abuse occurred in parishes within the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

Father Pickering died in 2009.

Moody Law has in the past and is still representing clients who have made allegations of sexual and physical abuse against clergy members and parish priests who served within the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

We invite former victims to tell us confidentially what information they may have, and we will explain what options are available to help with these cases.

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