Are Catholic priests employed by the Church, or by the hand of God? This question was at the heart of a five-year legal battle between a survivor of child sexual abuse and Bishop Paul Bird of the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat. The High Court’s decision – that the Catholic Church does not employ priests and therefore is not liable – came as a surprise to lawyers and survivors alike.

Today, lawyer and advocate, Judy Courtin, on the far-reaching consequences of this ruling – and how the courts continue to fail victim-survivors.