Gossip overcome as justice finally prevails

In 2004, the Catholic chaplain at Aberdeen University was suddenly removed. In 2006, Fr. Mark Paterson, O.Carm., was convicted of sexual assault. As his accuser, a middle-aged non-student, was known among the students of the university’s Catholic Society as a teller of malicious tales, the Catholic Society was outraged. They told the media, which had broadcast the salacious accusations, that there had been a miscarriage of justice.

Among other mistakes, witnesses ready to testify in Fr. Paterson’s defence were not given the opportunity to do so. Only in 2014 — on Jan. 16, in fact — did the High Court overturn the conviction.

I missed Fr. Paterson’s testimony and cross-examination last week, for I was in the witness room, keeping a witness company during the long hours before he was called to testify. Thus I heard only the testimony of the two Aberdeen University graduates and Fr. Paterson’s hapless former advocate. I had never met nor spoken to Fr. Paterson, a wiry 55-year-old in a civilian suit. He looked rather small and solitary in the dock.