THE leader of the Anglican Church in South Australia has offered to help victims of abuse by clerics after police broke up an alleged pedophile ring in a series of raids over the weekend.
One of the suspects, who cannot be identified, after being arrested over the weekend Lindsay Moller
A 59-year-old former priest who appeared in court today charged with indecent assault was among nine people arrested in two states in an operation that began last Thursday.
Police say more charges are likely to follow as investigations continue.
The acting head of the Anglican Church in South Australia, Archdeacon John Collas, said he believed there would be more arrests over the coming weeks.
"I don't believe this is the end of it, there will be more," he said.
"But I am pleased to hear that those who are persons of interest are not working in any way in the church at the moment.
"They may be sitting in a pew somewhere, but they're not working in the church."
Earlier today a 59-year-old former priest, who cannot be named, made no comment during his brief appearance in the Adelaide Magistrates Court and was not required to enter a plea.
He was ordered to appear in court again in September to answer the charge.
The man was extradited from Queensland at the weekend and was one of nine charged or reported for various offences.
They included two former Anglican ministers and two former church workers.
Archdeacon Collas said on ABC radio today he was willing to talk directly with victims of child sexual abuse within the Adelaide diocese. A number of people had already approached him, he said.
"I understand the need to talk," he said on ABC radio today. "It will be one of my major time allotments."