The Christian Brothers Oceania province has retained nine convicted child sex offenders as members of its religious order, citing a Gospel imperative as justification, according to court documents reported by The Guardian on Thursday.
Brother Gerard John Brady, head of the Oceania province, stated in an affidavit that 176 brothers remain in the order, most based in Australia.
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One convicted offender is currently imprisoned, while others face allegations.
“While dismissal of an offender from the Christian Brothers is an option open to us, I believe that it is not always the appropriate response,” Brady said.
The provincial leader argued that discharging offenders could create a financial burden for taxpayers, as many lack independent means of support.
“Accommodating known sex-offenders in the wider community following their discharge remains a difficult issue for society.
The [Oceania leadership team] believes that the Christian Brothers have obligations both to the wider community and to the offender,” Brady explained.
The affidavit noted that canon law obligates the order to care for all members, which leadership views as a fundamental religious duty.
“We accept that this philosophy requires us to continue contact with and support of those found to have committed serious criminal offences.
We see this as a Gospel imperative,” Brady said.
Financial Distress and Property Transfers
The order recently obtained a legal moratorium on all current and future civil claims, halting dozens of pending trials.
It is facing insolvency and proposes selling its remaining property, valued at approximately $217 million, to distribute among survivors.
