A Roman Catholic diocese has been ordered to pay £473,000 in compensation to a man who suffered horrific sexual abuse by a priest nearly 50 years ago.
The survivor, whose identity remains protected, was first abused at the age of five while attending St Mark’s Primary School in Irvine, Ayrshire.
The same priest targeted him again during his teenage years while he was a boarding school pupil at Fort Augustus Abbey Secondary School in the Highlands.
The Court of Session ruled that the Diocese of Galloway was vicariously liable for the abuse, which has had a devastating impact on the man’s life, leaving him unable to work since 2012 due to complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD).
The court awarded a total of £473,250 to the survivor, acknowledging the profound psychological and emotional damage caused by the abuse.
The priest responsible, who remains unnamed, was convicted of sexual offences before his death in 2021.
Lord Clark, who presided over the case, stated that the abuse inflicted in primary school had the most significant and lasting impact.
The ruling initially set compensation at £627,000, but prior payments from other church entities and the priest’s estate reduced the final sum.
The Diocese of Galloway, which covers Dumfries and Galloway, East and South Ayrshire, and parts of North Ayrshire, was held accountable as the priest operated under its jurisdiction at the time of the offences.
The Catholic Church has faced widespread scrutiny over historical abuse cases, leading to the implementation of revised safeguarding measures.
Archbishop William Nolan, previously the Bishop of Galloway and now Archbishop of Glasgow, testified during the proceedings, highlighting the Church’s efforts to address past failings.
The survivor, who has struggled with employment due to the psychological toll of the abuse, was first diagnosed with severe PTSD before being later confirmed as suffering from CPTSD.
Lord Clark noted that while financial compensation cannot undo the harm caused, the ruling aims to help the survivor move forward with his life.
