Priest abuse victim wins pay-out

The man, known as A, was abused by Father Christopher Clonan over a 10-year period from the age of eight when the priest worked in Coventry.

Now 35, he suffers from schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder.

It is believed the case could result in further claims totalling millions of pounds against the Church.

Fr Clonan died in Australia in 1998 while on the run from British police.

An amount of £635,684 was awarded by the High Court in Manchester against the defendants, the Archbishop of Birmingham and the trustees of the Birmingham Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church.

Mr Justice Christopher Clarke said at the High Court on Thursday the abuse had been regular - between one and three times a week.

"The abuse went undetected for so long because, initially, A did not comprehend what was going on, and latterly he was too afraid to speak, thinking that he would not be believed, as Father Clonan told him would be the case," he said.

The defendants admitted legal liability for "failing to prevent these activities".

The Archdiocese of Birmingham said it had been in contact with the claimant and his family since the case.

In a statement, it said: "The Archdiocese deeply regrets that a priest should have totally misused his position of trust in such a way and apologises again to those who have been abused and offended.

"This trust was placed in him by the Church and especially by his parishioners. The damage that he has done is deep and lasting.

"The Archdiocese hopes that this settlement will bring some resolution of the distress and anguish experienced by the claimant and his family."

Representatives for A said after the case: "We very much hope that the Church will now offer realistic compensation to all those who have been sexually abused by Catholic priests so that victims and their families can be spared the trauma of giving evidence."