Catholic Church to pay record $2.45m payout to child sex abuse survivor

The Catholic Church will pay a record amount of compensation to a survivor of child sex abuse in Western Australia and has publicly apologised.

Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costelloe agreed to the award after the victim testified about the abuse in court.

An altar boy who was raped by a Catholic priest more than 40 years ago has been awarded a record $2.45m payout and the Archbishop has publicly apologised for the “horror”.

It is the highest known amount of money the church has been ordered to pay a survivor of historical child sex abuse in Australia.

The landmark judgment was made after the victim gave traumatic evidence in the WA District Court about the abuse he suffered by former priest Bertram Adderley.

Adderley worked in Bunbury, in the state’s south, and other parts of WA, including Hamilton Hill in Perth where he met the victim.

The victim, who cannot be named, was sexually abused in 1978 and 1980 when he was aged nine and 11.

One incident happened at the church, while the other was in a flat following a trip to a nudist beach in the Perth suburb of Swanbourne.

The victim was an altar boy when he met Adderley. Picture: iStock

Lawyer Michael Magazanik told NCA NewsWire his client’s life went “off the rails” after he was abused.

The victim dropped out of school in Year 10, battled substance abuse, had difficulties with relationships and had an erratic work history.

He also battled mental illness, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

“It had a profound effect on him,” Mr Magazanik said.

The victim eventually went to police but was told at the time that nothing could be done because Adderley had died in 1983.

He accepted a $50,000 payout from the church, but in 2018 he approached Mr Magazanik about suing the church.

It was after the victim gave his testimony that Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costelloe consented to the award via the church’s legal team.

The church will also pay for the victim’s legal costs.

In a lengthy statement on Thursday, Archbishop Costelloe said the case had highlighted the “horror” of sexual abuse and the “dreadful effects” on the innocent person.

“I am glad that the survivor of this shocking abuse has had the opportunity to have his story told and believed, and has been financially compensated,” he said.

“The most recent media reports suggest that the church has failed to honour its commitment to treat survivors with respect, compassion and sensitivity.

“To the extent that this is the case, I sincerely apologise. It is my intention that the Archdiocese should be faithful to this commitment.”

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe has acknowledged the Catholic Church has a “deplorable history” regarding sexual abuse.

Archbishop Costelloe also acknowledged the church had a “deplorable history” regarding the sexual abuse of young and vulnerable people.

“Nothing can justify or cancel out the dreadful mistakes of the past,” he said.

“What the church can do today and into the future is to commit itself to treating those who have been abused with dignity, respect and integrity.

“The church can and must also take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that, as far as humanly possible, such abuse never again occurs within Catholic settings.”

Archbishop Costelloe also renewed his “sincere, heartfelt and unreserved apology” to everyone who has “suffered the horror of sexual abuse” by church leaders and workers.

“You were subjected to something which robbed you of your dignity, poisoned your childhood, and in many cases left you a legacy of suffering which still endures today,” he said.

“I am deeply sorry and ashamed that this has happened to you.

“Many survivors of sexual abuse have asked me for an assurance that the church has changed. I am able to give that assurance.”

Mr Magazanik said he had spoken to other complainants about Adderley and urged more to come forward, noting the church had moved Adderley around the state after allegations were made about him.

He said even if a victim had been given a small payout in the past, they could still be entitled to take legal action.