Key points:

• The civil case was brought against the diocese of Wagga Wagga, over abuse by convicted paedophile Vincent Kiss
• The victim, TJ, was award a $3.3 million payout, while three other plaintiffs settled outside court
• It is first time a civil jury has recorded a verdict against the Catholic Church

An abuse survivor who will potentially receive one of Australia’s largest-ever compensation payouts from the Catholic Church says it is a “mind-blowing” victory he hopes will give other survivors a “sense of hope”. 

The civil case verdict in Victoria’s Supreme Court last Friday related to child sex abuse committed by convicted paedophile priest Vincent Kiss in the 1960s and 70s.

The case was originally brought against the diocese of Wagga Wagga by four men who suffered abuse at the hands of Kiss, who at the time was its director of youth.

Three of the men settled out of court, with TJ, whose real name cannot be used for legal reasons, continuing…