The dark legacy of institutional child abuse continues to haunt one of Ireland's most revered Catholic orders, as newly uncovered land title records reveal that properties owned by the Christian Brothers have been used to house convicted individuals with severe histories of child sexual abuse. This disturbing revelation casts a harsh light on the order's handling of perpetrators, particularly in light of its recent claims that it is facing insolvency and cannot meet court-ordered compensation claims from survivors.
The records, obtained by Guardian Australia, specifically identify Brother Rex Elmer and Brother Peter Toomey as having resided in Christian Brothers-owned properties. Brother Toomey was convicted in November 2005 of ten counts of indecent assault against students and sentenced to prison again in 2019 for further sexual assaults. A royal commission found that the order was aware of complaints against Toomey from an early stage in his career, yet permitted him to remain in schools for almost three decades until the end of 2000. Senior officials were reportedly warned as early as 1973 about an "indiscretion" involving Toomey and a boy, and within two years, concerns were raised about his "overly familiar touching" of children.
Brother Elmer's history is equally distressing. He was convicted of abusing children at the St Vincent’s Boys Home, a Christian Brothers facility for wards of the state, during the 1970s. His victims included orphans with highly traumatic backgrounds. Elmer has been sentenced to prison on three separate occasions, most recently in 2021. One victim recounted a life of "emotional turmoil with constant feelings of shame, fear and psychological scarring," attributing decades of illicit drug and alcohol use to the abuse.
These revelations exacerbate the controversy surrounding the Christian Brothers' financial position. Last month, the order provoked outrage from survivors when it stated it was on the verge of bankruptcy and could no longer afford to honour legal claims. However, court documents previously revealed by The Guardian indicated that the order's constitution obliges it to provide extensive financial support to its current brothers, including covering housing costs, utility bills, health insurance, medical expenses, a significant monthly "Community Living Allowance" of over £600 (approximately $1,200 AUD), vehicle provision, and funds for spiritual development and entertainment.
The Christian Brothers have previously defended their decision to retain nine convicted child abusers within the order, citing a "Gospel imperative" to "care for all Brothers" and "the needy." However, the royal commission's findings regarding Toomey stated that "Because no action was taken, we are satisfied that more children were placed at risk of sexual abuse by Toomey. The reputation of the Christian Brothers was prioritised over the welfare of children to whom Toomey had access, and this was inexcusably wrong."