Brother “Kostka” Chute

John William Chute (born 13 June 1932), was a Marist Brother better known as Brother “Kostka” Chute. It is reported that Brother Chute was a serial offender who sexually abused children at the schools where he taught. His first known and reported offence was in 1959, and was given a canonical warning by the Provincial about his offences and behaviour towards children in 1968. 

He taught at least 13 Catholic schools in between 1952 and 1993.

The schools he has taught at include:

  • 1952  - Marist Brothers High School, Maitland (primary school);

  • 1952 – Kogarah Marist High School, Sydney  ;

  • 1956-1957 – Primary Grade 6 at Marist Brothers Rosalie, Brisbane ;

  • 1958 – Principal of Primary - Marist Brothers High School, Mosman;

  • 1959 – Principal of Marcellin College, Randwick ;

  • 1961-1962 – Assistant Superior of St Anne’s Primary School, Bondi Beach;

  • 1963 – Assistant Superior of Marist Primary, Queanbeyan;

  • 1964 – 1966 – Assistant Superior of Villa Maria School, Hunters Hill (Marist Brothers Catholic Primary School, Hunters Hill) ;

  • 1967 – Principal of St Carthage’s School, Lismore;

  • 1969 – 1972 – Principal of Primary – Marist College, Penhurst;

  • 1973 – 1974 – Marcellin Junior, Coogee;

  • 1975 – Principal of Parramatta Marist High School;

  • 1976 – 1987 – Assistant religious Education Coordinator,  Marist College, Canberra; and

  • 1988 – 1993 – Religious Education Coordinator, Marist College, Canberra.

Marist Brothers Institutions he worked at include:

  • 1994 -1997 - Champagnat Centre, Dundas ;

  • 1997 – 2001 - Assistant community Leader at Marist Farmhouse, Mittagong;

  • 2002 – 2007 – Assistant community Leader at Marist Centre, Mittagong; and

  • 2008 – community support at Marist Brothers, Blacktown. 

Reports were made to the principal of St Anne’s Primary School, Marist Brothers Lismore and they had knowledge of the abuse, prior to moving Kostka to Canberra.  He was given a canonical warning about his admissions to sexually abusing children.

Marist Brothers that Brother Kostka was acquainted and worked with, and who also have allegations of child sexual abuse include - Brother Peter "Bartholomew" Spratt, Brother Gregory Carter and Brother Gregory Joseph Sutton. Brother Christopher Wade, the headmaster of Marist College - Canberra (and who also has been charged with sexual abuse of children) had been notified in 1981 of Brother Kostka’s behaviour. 

During the time Brother Kostka was in Canberra between 1976 and 1993, he is reported to have sexually abused up to 39 students. 

Moody Law has acted in the past in a claim for child sexual abuse against Brother Kostka. We invite former victims of Brother Kostka 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.