A retired Catholic priest is facing almost 60 charges of sexually abusing children in Queensland. Source: AAP
A RETIRED Catholic priest is facing almost 60 charges of sexually abusing children in Queensland.
The 77-year-old is accused of indecently dealing with children in the Brisbane, Logan and Gold Coast areas between 1977 and 1988.
The man, from Boronia Heights, is charged with 57 counts of indecent treatment of children and one count of common assault.
His case was mentioned in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Tuesday, but the man was not required to appear. The matter was adjourned until May 13.
Outside court, the man's lawyer told reporters his client was ill, and was shocked and upset about the charges.
Broken Rites, a group that supports victims of sexual abuse in the Catholic church, said the man had been a priest since 1960.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane told AAP the man was a retired priest.
The archdiocese expects to issue a media statement later in the day.
Lawyer Jim Coburn said his client was in hospital but hoped to be able to attend the next court hearing.
"We will wait for a full brief of evidence before deciding whether to challenge the charges," he told reporters.
"Obviously he's concerned. He's looking forward to his day in court."
One victim of the alleged abuse spoke to reporters outside the court.
She said she and five of her brothers and sisters were abused over a 15-year period, when they were pupils at a Catholic school.
"I never thought it would ever get to court. It's just been a big cover-up and a big hush-hush through the whole Catholic education system," she told reporters.
"It has encouraged parents to hush-hush, teachers, everybody.
"They just seem to have passed the situation on and don't seem to care about the children that are hurt in the process.
"The children were the victims and I think that's been the hardest thing for me and for lots of other people to have to deal with - the support went to him and not to us."
She said she would return to court when the matter resumed in May.
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