Page 4, 3rd August 2007
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BY HUW TWISTON DAVIES
A PRIEST in Melbourne has apologised for verbally abusing skateboarders outside the city's Cathedral of St Patrick nearly a year ago.
Mgr Geoffrey Baron, the Dean of St Patrick's, was seen by viewers worldwide when a video of the events was put up on YouTube.
The video, thought to be taken by one of the skateboarders, showed Mgr Baron using harsh and racist language and hitting one of the gang after he was called a paedophile by one of them.
His actions were initially defended by the vicar-general, Mgr Les Tomlinson, who said that "if any human being is put under siege like that, they may well react in a way they wouldn't do in another circumstance". However, Mgr Baron has now described his actions as "outrageous behaviour". Speaking on Southern Cross radio, he spoke of being "utterly embarrassed".
He also said that he had "never in my whole life got as angry as that", and that he "can't excuse" his behaviour. He added that while he didn't feel he owed an apology to the skateboarders: "I apologise to all who were scandalised by my behaviour." Mgr Baron said that he could not bear to watch the footage, which he would have to live with "all the days of my life".
Mgr Baron will discuss the incident with Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne.
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