Property owned by the Christian Brothers was used to house at least two convicted child sexual abuse offenders, including one who preyed on orphans, according to records obtained by the Guardian.
Key facts
- Property owned by the Christian Brothers was used to house convicted child sexual abuse offenders, the Guardian reports.
- At least two brothers with histories of child sexual abuse were housed at the properties.
- One brother preyed on orphans, according to the records.
- Another was kept in teaching positions for almost three decades after senior officials became aware of his offending.
- Last month the Christian Brothers declared it was about to go broke and could no longer afford to meet survivors' claims in court.
Property owned by the Christian Brothers, a Catholic religious order, has been used to house convicted child sexual abuse offenders, according to records obtained by the Guardian. The outlet reports that at least two brothers with histories of child sexual abuse were housed at the order’s properties.
One of the brothers preyed on orphans, according to the records reported by the Guardian. The details point to abuse involving some of the most vulnerable children in the order’s care.
The records also describe another brother who was kept in teaching positions for almost three decades after senior officials had become aware of his offending, according to the Guardian. This suggests knowledge of the abuse existed within the order over a prolonged period.
The revelations come after the Christian Brothers prompted anger from survivors last month when the order declared it was about to go broke. According to the Guardian, the order said it could no longer afford to meet survivors’ claims in court.
The Guardian describes its reporting as an exclusive based on records it obtained. The publication did not, in the material provided, detail the current status of the two brothers or the specific locations of the properties involved.
Why it matters
Institutional child sexual abuse and the way religious orders have handled offenders remain deeply consequential issues for survivors seeking justice and accountability. The report raises questions about how the Christian Brothers managed known offenders and whether survivors will be compensated given the order's declared financial difficulties.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Guardian's records reveal about the Christian Brothers?
The records show that property owned by the order was used to house at least two convicted child sexual abuse offenders, including one who preyed on orphans and another kept in teaching positions for almost three decades after officials became aware of his offending.
Why are survivors angry with the Christian Brothers?
Last month the order declared it was about to go broke and said it could no longer afford to meet survivors' claims in court, which prompted fury from survivors, according to the Guardian.
How long was one offender allegedly kept in a teaching role?
According to the Guardian, one brother was kept in teaching positions for almost three decades after senior officials became aware of his offending.