Little Pebble's order vows to carry on

ABC News, Australia/October 17, 2005

A religious community on the New South Wales south coast has vowed to continue its activities despite the jailing of its spiritual leader for sex offences.

William Kamm, known as the Little Pebble, was jailed for up to five years for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.

The girl was a 'spiritual wife' of Kamm, who headed the community near Nowra.

The Order of St Charbel has issued a statement urging followers to remain at peace and united in their faith.

The statement from the group's bishop, Malcolm Broussard, says the order will continue to go forward.

Mr Broussard, who was excommunicated from the Catholic Church in 2003, says the dark forces of evil have won a victory.

He says an appeal against the sentence has been lodged.

The Catholic Church has outlawed the order and has urged its followers to return to the church's teachings and its discipline.