A Greek Orthodox priest from Sydney has been sentenced after he was found guilty on nine charges of sexually touching a mother and her two children.
Father Mario “George” Fayjloun was connected to the Greek Orthodox church in Central Mangrove, and was charged in September 2021 with nine counts of aggravated sexual touching.
He pleaded not guilty in December 2021, but was found guilty of all nine charges against him by Magistrate Gareth Christofi on Tuesday, June 25.
According to court documents, the incidents occurred at the Central Mangrove church and at the family’s home in Bankstown between August 2019 and February 2020. Father Fayjloun sexually touched the victims on six occasions during confession and at dinner.
On two instances, Father Fayjloun touched the mother on her groin and breasts and forced her to touch his penis. He also kissed the eldest daughter on the lips, and separately sexually touched the younger daughter on her breast and back.
In a sentencing hearing today, Thursday, September 26 at Liverpool Local Court, Magistrate Christofi said the priest remains unremorseful for sexually abusing the mother and her two children, and stressed he had “cynically abused” the trust placed in him by his victims.
“The victims were inherently vulnerable on account of their relationship with the offender,” Mr Christofi said. “The offender took advantage of that vulnerability for his own sexual gratification.”
Mr Christofi said the priest continues to deny the offences, shifting blame onto the victims and claiming their allegations were false and motivated by financial gain.
“This is not only delusion… but it also means there’s no evidence of contrition or remorse. Repentance for father Fayjloun is something for others to do, it would seem,” Mr Christofi said.
The Magistrate added that while the priest lost his income after being forced to resign from his role at the church after being arrested, he continued to provide religious services, such as confession, from his house.
Father Fayjloun received a two-year intensive corrections order, meaning he will serve his sentence in the community. He is required to complete 300 hours of community service and is prohibited from offering religious or spiritual services during this period.
The priest did not comment when leaving the court surrounded by family and supporters.
