Benedictine Community of New Norcia
The Benedictine Community of New Norcia was established in 1847 by two Spanish Benedictine monks which has become Australia’s only monastery town in Australia. At one stage the Benedictines' administered a territory of 30,000 square miles and had a status similar to that of a diocese. This territory was reduced to a single parish following the Second Vatican Council (1962 to 1965).
The Benedictine monks and Benedictine Missionary Sisters at New Norcia also ran the now closed male orphanage of St Mary’s Orphanage for Aboriginal boys (1848 to 1974) and the female orphanage of St Joseph’s Orphanage for Aboriginal girls (1861 to 1974).
Data provided by the Catholic Church to the the Royal Commission shows that the Benedictine community was the religious institution which had the highest overall proportion of alleged perpetrators. Between 1980 and 2015, the Benedictines had 53 priests who had served at the community during that period. In short, the Royal Commission indicated that 21.5% of those 53 priests were alleged perpetrators. Further data reveals the following:
71 people made a claim of child sexual abuse against the Benedictines;
76% of those who made a claim were male;
85% of the 33 alleged perpetrators at New Norcia were male;
Of the 33 alleged perpetrators, 15 were identified as a priest and 16 were religious brothers;
Of the alleged perpetrators, one was the subject of 10 or more claims of child sexual abuse, with the highest number of claims made in relation to a single alleged perpetrator being 26; and
St Mary’s Orphanage was identified in 20 claims.
Moody Law has in the past and is still representing clients who have made allegations of sexual and physical abuse against various religious orders and institutions around Australia.
We invite former victims to tell us confidentially what information they may have, and we will explain what options are available to help with these cases.
Call us or complete the confidential enquiry form below.