Sydney
23 June 2002
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St Pio – newest saint
US calls in Australian archbishop
Order pays $3.6 million
Fund for ‘tragic cases’
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Order pays $3.6 million
The Hospitaller Order of St John of God has agreed to pay more than $3.6 million to 24 victims of sexual abuse at boys’ homes in Melbourne, following an out-of-court settlement of their compensation claims.
It will pay compensation ranging from $100,000 to $400,000 to the victims of the abuse which took place at its Cheltenham, Lilydale and Greensborough homes between 1968 and 1994.
Police are investigating possible criminal action against some brothers.
Congregational leader Br Peter Burke said each victim would get a personal letter of apology, as well as the compensation payment.
Peter Gordon, of Slater and Gordon, which represented the victims, praised the Order of St John of God for the “decency and integrity” with which they settled the cases of some of the claimants, whose mental disabilities made it difficult for them to communicate.
The order acknowledged that some of the residents under its care were sexually abused by some brothers.
Slater and Gordon agreed that in some instances accusations about sexual abuse may have inaccurately identified individual brothers.