Brother Francis Marques

Brother Francis Marques was a Christian Brother who served in particularly at Castledare and Clontarf in Perth, Western Australia. Brother Marques was Australian born, who as a boy himself, spent several years at both Tardun and Clontarf in Western Australia, who were operated by the Christian Brothers at the time. It is believed that Brother Marques was sexually abused when he attended the above-mentioned institutions. Consequently, Brother Marques would go on to become a sexual predator and created a reputation for abusing boys when he served as a staff member with the Christian Brothers.

Brother Marques’ behaviour came into the spotlight last year in the decision of Lawrence v Province Leader of the Oceania Province of the Congregation of the Christian Brothers [2020] WADC 27. At Castledare, Brother Marques was in charge of the milk yard and when he served at Clontarf he was in charge of dairy operations and the cattle and horses. While he served at Castledare and Clontarf, Brother Marques regulary abused John Lawrence from about the age of 11 until he left Clontarf at the age of 16. The sexual and physical abuse occurred about once a fortnight, usually in Brother Marques’ bedroom, also in other places at Clontarf such as the milk yard, the oats crushing room, and the picture theatre room. The sexual abuse included inappropriate fondling, oral and anal sex. It should be noted that Brother Marques was part of a group of Christian Brothers who included Brother Doyle, Brother Murphy, Brother Angus, Brother Foley and lay teachers Mr Jackson and Mr Blackmore, who not only abused Mr Lawrence but also other boys at other Christian Brothers institutions in Western Australia

Moody Law has just recently represented a client who was sexually and physically abused by members of the Christian Brothers when he was placed at Castledare. We have also represented and are still representing other clients who have been sexually and physically abused by other members of the Christian Brothers around Australia.

We invite former victims of Brother Francis Marques to contact us with what information they may have, and we will confidentially explain what options are available to help with these cases.

Call us or complete the confidential enquiry form below.