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The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne continues to make significant compensation payments to Rightside Legal clients.

In the case of the prolific paedophile Father Ronald Pickering, the church knew of his sexual abuse for decades but failed to take action.

In 1993, when Pickering had been parish priest for 15 years at St James, Gardenvale, he fled to England.

While police investigated claims of sexual abuse by Pickering over the period 1960 to 1989, the Catholic Church continued to pay him a pension for nearly a decade while he hid from authorities.

Our client was abused from 1982 to 1986, despite the church being aware of at least three other cases 20 years earlier.

Now in his 50s, our client settled his claim for $3.5 million, 10 days before the trial was due to start.

St James, Gardenvale, was destroyed in an arson attack in 2015.

For more information contact Shea Rowell on (03) 9113 2152.

the church knew of his sexual abuse for decades but failed to take action.

In 1993, when Pickering had been parish priest for 15 years at St James, Gardenvale, he fled to England.

While police investigated claims of sexual abuse by Pickering over the period 1960 to 1989, the Catholic Church continued to pay him a pension for nearly a decade while he hid from authorities.

Our client was abused from 1982 to 1986, despite the church being aware of at least three other cases 20 years earlier.

Now in his 50s, our client settled his claim for $3.5 million, 10 days before the trial was due to start.

St James, Gardenvale, was destroyed in an arson attack in 2015.

For more information contact Shea Rowell on (03) 9113 2152.

Although it was 7 months ago that I received the compensation payment, it is only now that I’m feeling the real benefits. This is so unbelievably helpful and nothing I had expected in my life. Life feels very different for me right now. I can’t quite take it in, but I do know that I am grateful to you for the work done.