Now 60, the ex-St Kevin’s College student alleges that his teacher, Brother Welsh, detained him after class multiple times in 1976, subjecting the Year 5 boy to severe sexual abuse.

“The effects are terrible and ongoing, life-changing,” the man, who did not wish to be identified, told 9News.

“What I believe I could have become, potentially earned, and achieved in my life, I believe, has been greatly diminished, hindered, and taken away by my experience.”

“[It] destroyed my employability, my earning potential, and… financially has ruined me.”

The Christian Brothers Oceania Province said it intends to “rigorously defend” the claims.

“The allegations made in these proceedings are against a deceased Brother who has no other complaints known to the Christian Brothers of any impropriety of any type, including in the manner alleged,” the congregation said in a statement.

“That parties attempt to publicly name this deceased Brother, who otherwise has an exemplary record, before any court has reached any finding of fact, is a gross distortion of the principles of natural justice and the process of the court.”