Christian Brothers given lifeline from Edmund Rice Education Australia to help pay victim compensation
Victim survivors are owed almost $800 million in compensation from the Christian Brothers.
Victim survivors will receive compensation from a disgraced entity with one of the worst records of clergy abuse in the Catholic church.
The Christian Brothers has been facing hundreds of abuse cases estimated to be worth almost $800 million, and last month claimed that it was going broke and could not afford to pay the compensation claims.
As an alternative, the entity proposed to sell its remaining 36 properties, worth an estimated $217 million, and divide the proceeds up.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The proposal copped backlash across the board.
Edmund Rice Education Australia now operates former Christian Brothers schools.
Since being established in 2007, the Christian Brothers transferred much of its property portfolio — now worth an estimated $2 billion — to EREA for $1.
EREA had previously said it would not sell the properties to help compensate victim survivors.
Some survivors, several of whom have been in the court system for years, became concerned they would not be compensated and sought to transfer their claims to EREA instead, but the entity resisted attempts.
Now, after weeks of public pressure, the entity has announced a change of heart.
The Trustees of Edmund Rice Education Australia announced on Friday that they have now agreed to revise the scheme which will “compensate victims and survivors of historical abuse claims against the Christian Brothers in full”.
Chair of the Trustees of Edmund Rice Education Australia Stephen Brown said it was “the right thing to do”.
“By supporting a revised scheme of arrangement we are committed to supporting those who have suffered abuse,” he said, as published by The Guardian.
“We support the revised scheme because it is simply the right thing to do for victims and survivors to provide them a just and sustainable pathway.
“This decision will also support the long-term sustainability of the educational ministry, including more than 44,000 students entrusted to EREA’s stewardship.”
The announcement means victim survivors will be paid in full and the Christian Brothers will meet their obligations to paying the National Redress Scheme an estimated $65 million over three years.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), or Sexual Assault Counselling Australia on 1800 211 028, the WA Sexual Assault Resource Centre on 6458 1828 or 1800 199 888 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
