(AUSTRALIA)
The Catholic Weekly [Archdiocese of Sydney NSW, Australia]
July 27, 2026
Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) has agreed to take on responsibility for current and future abuse claims against the Christian Brothers, in a move expected to ensure survivors of historical abuse receive full compensation under a revised court-approved scheme.
The announcement in late July ended weeks of uncertainty after the Christian Brothers revealed in June that they were facing insolvency and sought court approval for a scheme to pause civil claims while the order sold its remaining assets to pay all of its creditors, including abuse survivors.
The proposal drew widespread criticism from survivors, lawyers and the Federal Government. But under a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 24 July, the Trustees of the Christian Brothers and the Trustees of EREA will develop a revised creditors’ scheme of arrangement making EREA responsible for current and future abuse claims against the order.
EREA is the national ministry responsible for Edmund Rice schools, including schools founded by the Christian Brothers.
Survivors with existing settlements or court judgments are expected to be paid in full, while EREA will also assume responsibility for claims made through the National Redress Scheme. The revised scheme remains subject to approval by creditors and the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
In a statement, EREA Trustees chair Dr Stephen Brown said the organisation had decided to act in support of survivors while ensuring the long-term future of its educational ministry.
“By supporting a revised scheme of arrangement we are committed to supporting those who have suffered abuse,” he said.
“We support the revised scheme because it is simply the right thing to do for victims and survivors to provide them a just and sustainable pathway.”
In their own statement, the Trustees of the Christian Brothers said the revised arrangement was expected to provide “an outcome for all creditors, including victims and survivors of abuse, which is better than both liquidation and the earlier proposed scheme.”
Federal Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek welcomed the announcement, telling media that survivors “should never have been put in the position of wondering whether their claims would be met.”
“No level of compensation can undo the profound harm experienced by victim survivors of child sexual abuse.
“But we know that redress – including counselling, apologies and financial compensation – can play an important role in helping survivors feel heard, believed and supported.”