Father Clarence Anderson

Father Clarence “David” Anderson’s was a parish priest who served most of his time within the Catholic Diocese of Lismore. He was born around 1939 and died on 15 April 1996. Father Anderson was ordained as a priest on 20 July 1963 and served in that position until 20 August 1971 when he was dispensed of his priestly obligations. After being released from the priesthood, Father Anderson settled in Queensland, married and had children. NSW court records indicate that Father Anderson served at the following parishes/locations within the Diocese:

  • Kyogle - 1963 to 1965;

  • Macksville - 1966;

  • Maclean - 1966 to 1968;

  • Lismore - latter part of 1968 until mid-January 1969;

  • Tweed Heads - 1969 until February 1970.

It is reported that his superiors knew and had witnessed Father Anderson sexually abusing children in the Diocese. In 1971, the parish priest of Kyogle at the time - Monsignor Ryan - had warned the archbishop of Brisbane’s office that he had directly witnessed Father Anderson sexually abusing a young boy. NSW court records further indicate that as early as 1963, Father Anderson had been noticed by his superiors that he had been fond of hanging around young boys and had been observed in 1965 by his parish superior at Kyogle to exhibit sexual interest in children, particularly males. Furthermore, it is noted that complaints had been made by parents about Father Anderson’s behaviour, leading to him being suspended from office and directed to undertake psychiatric treatment in Sydney of which he did not persist with.

Allegations of sexual abuse by Father Anderson against eleven victims were brought forward in the NSW Supreme Court in January 2020. The abuse is alleged to have occurred in the 1960s. The Church’s internal records as shown subsequently in court records showed that it knew the Father Anderson was sexually abusing children but did nothing other than move him from parish to parish within the Catholic Diocese of Lismore.

Moody Law has in the past and is still representing clients who have made allegations of sexual and physical abuse against clergy members of the Catholic Diocese of Lismore.

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.

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