Survivors Tell of Catholic before Royal Commission

By Ian Kirkwood
Newcastle Herald
September 5, 2016

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4142710/torrid-tales-of-abuse/

BROTHER Romuald stood up, dropped his towel and turned around.

He stood there with a wry smile on his face, or an expression that suggested: “Well boys, have a good look at this.”

As CNV one of two brothers abused at Marist Brothers Hamilton told the Royal Commission on Monday: “Just a normal day.”

CNV’s brother, CNS, gave evidence to the commission before the morning adjournment, and CNV continued with his memories of those times, when the brothers at Catholic high schools were allowed to act and operate with impunity.

“What is really upsetting to me is that i know Andrew Nash committed suicide in 1974,” CNV said.

“A lot of people believe Andrew was sexually abused by Brother Romuald, which led to Andrew’s death. If that is true, I would be disgusted. I know that my brother and my father told the Marist Brothers about Brother Romuald in 1972 and 1973. Action should have been taken against Brother Romuald then. It is devastating to think they did nothing and Brother Romuald went on to abuse other boys because they did nothing. I also feel very, very angry because I, and other kids, were knowingly put in harm’s way.”

Another former altar boy, CNQ was abused by three priests, Father Dominic and Father Patrick, repeatedly, and at least once by a Father Oswin, who roused him from sleep at a church camp by fondling him through his pyjamas.

But the actions of brothers Dominic and Patrick were of another level entirely.

And CNQ also had two brothers, as school principals, tell him they could do nothing of the abuse being committed against him.

The first time he was abused by Dominic, CNQ said the priest asked him if he was old enough to have pubic hair. He asked him if he was circumcised, and if he knew what that meant.

He said Dominic’s abuse escalated to the point where he tried to anally penetrate him in a room off to one side of his office at the school.

He said he screamed in pain and Dominic pushed him out of the office.

Another time he was sent into Dominic’s office to get chalk, and another boy was standing between the priest’s legs in is underpants and socks.

Later, he said: “It was two to a desk at school. If my desk mate was away, Brother Patrick would slide into the free seat and start to put his hands on me, He would put his arm around my shoulder and then touch my knee and move his hand up and down my thigh, touching and rubbing my crotch area.

“When this first happened, I was stunned because of what had happened to me in the past with Brother Dominic and Brother Oswin.”

One day, with Patrick fondling his thigh, CNQ said he punched the priest, which resulted in him being disciplined. He said when he told he principal of Marist Brothers, Brother John, about the abuse, the principal “put both of his hands up in a defensive manner” and said: “There is nothing that I can do about that.” I said: “That’s bullshit.” and he replied: “Don’t speak to me about that.”

He said he spoke to Father Tom Brennan at Pius who reacted the same way was Brother John, by putting his hands up and saying he could not do anything about it.

CNQ said his life had been ruined by the abuse.

“The sexual abuse that I suffered at school made me feel ashamed, confused and unclean. I became paranoid that if people found out, I would be labelled as homosexual, and that people would think that I enjoyed it because I let it go on.”

CNQ said he began to stutter after the abuse, he had problems with relationships and two failed marriages.

“I have not told any of my children about the abuse since I believe I would cease to be a man in their eyes,” he said.