Catholic Church facing potential multi-million dollar payouts as sex abuse victims sue

By Shannon Deery
Herald Sun
January 12, 2016

http://tinyurl.com/hdemqub

THE Catholic Church is facing a potential multi-million dollar bill as dozens of angry sex assault victims sue, demanding it pay for their suffering.

In the last 12 months, 19 ­Supreme Court lawsuits have been filed against former Ballarat bishop Ronald Mulkearns, who was in charge when some of Australia’s most notorious paedophiles were active in his diocese.

Five previous lawsuits concerning the retired bishop have already been finalised.

In the latest case, filed last week, the bishop is being sued for an undisclosed sum for injuries, loss and damage as a result of sexual and psychological abuse dating to 1985.

In court documents, a male victim of Father Paul David Ryan says he was abused at locations including Warrnambool and Glen Waverley.

The writ alleges Fr Mulkearns, Ballarat’s bishop from 1971-97, owed him a duty of care but failed