Christian Brothers kept nine child abusers in religious order due to Gospel imperative to help ‘the needy’, court documents reveal
Summary
The Christian Brothers religious order has kept nine convicted child abusers as members, citing their duty to care for all brothers, including those in need. Facing financial trouble, the order seeks to sell property to pay abuse survivors but has paused all legal claims, affecting many ongoing abuse cases.Key Facts
- The Christian Brothers have nine convicted child sex offenders still in their order; one is currently in prison.
- The order intends to support these offenders as part of their religious duty called a “Gospel imperative.”
- They believe keeping offenders in the order allows better monitoring and treatment, which they say protects society.
- The order is near bankruptcy and proposes selling $217 million worth of property to compensate abuse survivors.
- They have obtained a temporary stop (moratorium) on all current and future civil abuse claims.
- The head of the order in Oceania, Brother Gerard John Brady, met with Vatican representatives seeking financial help, but received no support.
- The order recognizes that supporting offenders may be seen as prioritizing them over victims but states it aims not to compromise victim protection or justice.
- Around 176 brothers remain in the Oceania order, mostly in Australia, with several more accused of abuse but not convicted.
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