A Catholic Bishop has testified in defence of convicted Australian paedophile Victor Fitzgerald, who is appealing against his conviction for abusing girls in the Philippines in 1995. The testimony of the Bishop is based on a sworn affidavit by 23 priests which states that the girls were unduly influenced to testify against Fitzgerald. An Australian priest working in the Philippines has paid Fitzgerald’s bail bond which has released him from jail while the appeal is proceeding.