Father Tom Brennan

Father Tom Brennan was a prolific Catholic priest within the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle in NSW. He served in numerous Catholic institutions and parishes within the Diocese which include the following:

• Vicar-General of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle (2005-2008);

• Corpus Christi Parish at Waratah, Newcastle (1980s to early 1980s);

• St Joseph’s Parish at Cessnock, NSW (late 1990s);

• St Joseph’s Parish at Toronto, NSW (around 2004); and

• St Piux X High School, Adamstown (Principal from 1973 to 1983).

Father Brennan, like many other Catholic clergy exposed by the media, NSW Police and the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, had been involved in allegations and incidents involving child sexual abuse. In 2009, Brennan was charged with covering up child sexual abuse in the 1970s and 1980s in relation to the behaviour of child sex offender, Father John Denham. Furthermore, in 2012, Brennan was again charged with concealing child sexual abuse and sexually abusing children himself – including an eight-year-old boy at Corpus Christi Parish at Waratah. However, NSW Police were unable to bring him to justice as he died 5 days later after being charged.

Moody Law has represented and is currently representing clients who were victims of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

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.