Brother John Coswello

Brother John Francis Coswello was born on 10 January 1939. He started his service with the Christian Brothers at the age of 14 when he was recruited as an aspirant within the Order. Consequently, he completed his training at Christian Brothers colleges in Melbourne and Sydney. This was complemented later on with further spiritual and teacher training. Brother Coswello taught/served at the following schools/locations/institutions:

  • Catholic school in Blackburn, Melbourne (around 1964);

  • Catholic school in Launceston, Tasmania (1965);

  • Catholic school in Middle Park, Melbourne (around 1966 - 1970);

  • St Vincent’s Boys’ Orphanage, Melbourne (around 1969 - 1979);

  • St Joseph’s Technical School, South Melbourne (1980 - 1982); and

  • Christian Brothers College (C.B.C), St Kilda, Melbourne (1983 - 2006)

Brother Coswello retired from teaching in 2006, and then helped to run an aged-care home for Christian Brothers in St Kilda.

During 2009 - 2010, Brother Coswello (aged 70 at the time), appeared in Melbourne County Court on two separate trials charged with multiple sexual offences, allegedly committed against two boys at St Vincent's Boys’ Orphanage. In relation to the first boy, the jury found Brother Coswello not guilty due to the lack of evidence for a conviction, and in relation to the second victim, while the second jury found Brother Coswello guilty on two counts of indecent assault and three counts of gross indecency, the Christian Brothers successfully appealed the conviction due to procedural issues by the Judge, and a new jury in 2010 found Brother Coswello not guilty.

Moody Law has in the past represented and is still representing clients who were sexually abused by members of the Christian Brothers at various institutions.

We invite former victims of Brother Coswello or of any other member of the Christian Brothers 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.