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Priest ‘wrong over bracelet’

05 July 2013

A PRIEST in Perth who claimed that a gold and diamond bracelet he found was legally his, has been publicly reprimanded by the Archbishop of Perth, the Most Revd Roger Herft.

The Revd Terry McAuliffe, Rector of Woodlands-Wembley Downs, City Beach, found the bracelet, valued at $A6500, in a car park earlier this year. Because the police had not traced the owner, Mr McAuliffe, a former lawyer, claimed ownership under a law that gives property that is unclaimed after two months to the finder.

Press reports state that, when he subsequently traced the owners, a couple from Perth, he refused to return the bracelet. Instead, he said he would return it only if they claimed insurance for it and gave him half the payout.

Archbishop Herft has been quoted as saying that he found "the whole story to be quite reprehensible". Once the owner was established, "the moral code must apply."

After publicity, Mr McAuliffe returned the bracelet, and apologised to the owners.

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