Paul Raj: Catholic priest accused of inappropriately touching 14-year-old parishioner during ‘golf lesson’

A Catholic priest accused of inappropriately touching a 14-year-old parishioner in 2005 during a ‘golf lesson’ said it would be normal to do while teaching someone how to swing a club. Father Paul Raj faced trial on Tuesday after pleading not guilty to aggravated indecent assault and common assault at Rockingham Magistrates Court in 2024. The alleged incident was said to have occurred at Father Raj’s clergy home during a lunch with the girl’s mother in late 2005. The Filipino family were regulars at the church and the girl’s mother said she regularly took part in organising events. When he took the stand Father Raj declined to swear on the Bible and chose to affirm to the court to tell the truth. Father Raj was the defence’s sole witness and told the court that he didn’t remember the family. During examination though, he later recounted how he had counselled the girl’s family through a teen pregnancy. Father Raj said he was passionate about golf and often gave lessons to those who showed an interest. “Are you a qualified golf instructor,” prosecutor Lucy Clarke asked. “No,” Father Paul answered. The girl now aged 34 took to the stand and recounted how Father Raj put his arms around her in his living room to show her how to swing a golf club. “He was still standing behind me and he began touching my bottom with both hands,” she told the court. “It was very awkward, both hands were cupped around by butt crack so I could feel his palms and finger around my bottom... and he began tapping under my bottom.” During cross-examination, Father Raj’s lawyer, Joel Grinceri, suggested that touching buttocks, hips, hands, and thighs during a golf lesson would be normal. Mr Grinceri asked the woman to recount who had attended the lunch, what club she was using, and what sort of swing she was practising. The woman admitted she knew little about golf and had little recollection of the guest list, but asserted that she remembered looking at her two younger sisters during the incident. The woman’s mother also took the stand and said she witnessed Father Raj touch her daughter’s inner thigh. Mr Grinceri questioned why she didn’t make a fuss at the time. “I thought this can’t be happening, he is the priest of the church, I thought it might be uncomfortable for (my daughter),” she said. Magistrate Steven Malley said he would hand down his verdict on February 12.