Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton is a suffragan Latin Church diocese of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, erected in 1882, covering Central Queensland. The Diocese of Rockhampton was excised from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane on 29 December 1882. Prior to this, the Brisbane archdiocese had responsibility for the entire state of Queensland, but the creation of the Rockhampton diocese split the state with responsibilities for the southern part of Queensland to remain with the Brisbane archdiocese while the northern part of Queensland became the responsibility of the new Rockhampton Diocese.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse looked at the Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton in Case Study No. 26 and in particular to complaints made by former victims of St Joseph’s Orphanage and other victims within the Diocese and the responses of the Sisters of Mercy; the Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton; and the Queensland state government in relation to complaints of child sexual abuse by workers, priests and nuns. In short, the Royal Commission concluded that its findings revealed a horrific picture of abuse by priests, nuns and brothers within the Diocese who had consequently let down the community as their responsibility was to protect and care for children. It is claimed in the report that 8% of priests who worked in the Diocese between 1950 and 2009 had had a claim of child sex abuse made against them at some stage in their career. This percentage was 1.3% between 2000 and 2009.

Moody Law has represented and is still representing clients who were victims of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton.

We invite former victims to contact us to tell us confidentially what information they may have, and we will explain what options are available to help with these cases.

Call us or complete the confidential enquiry form below.