AUSTRALIA
The Age

May 22, 2015

Jane Lee

The Christian Brothers have done nothing to remove offender Robert Best from its order since he was convicted of multiple sexual offences against children.

Best was convicted in 2011 of sex crimes against 11 boys at schools in Ballarat, Box Hill and Geelong and is currently serving a 14 year, nine-month sentence.

Brother Peter Clinch, leader of the Christian Brothers Oceania Province, told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse on Friday that Best was still a Christian Brother.

Asked why by Counsel Assisting the Commission Gail Furness, SC, Brother Clinch – who became leader last July – said: “Because he hasn’t gone through the …dispensation, and he has not requested that. And as far as I’m aware at this early stage of my leadership, the congregation hasn’t taken any initiative in that area.”

Brother Clinch could not…