Divine Word Missionaries

Divine Word Missionaries (formally known as The Society of the Divine Word and also sometimes as Steyler Missionaries), is an international Catholic missionary congregation present in approximately 70 countries. The congregation was founded in 1875 by a German priest, St Arnold Janssen, and it consists of priests and brothers. In Australia, the Divine Word Missionaries arrived in Sydney in January 1900 as an outstation of the Mission in New Guinea. The first established seminary for Australian recruits was not established until 1945 when a seminary was opened in Marburg, west of Brisbane. In 2021, the Divine Word Missionaries in Australia is part of the Australian Province of the Divine Word Missionaries which also consists of New Zealand, Thailand and Myanmar. Around 90 priests, brothers and novices comprise the Australian Province.

Like many other religious orders and congregations around Australia, the Divine Word Missionaries has been involved in allegations of child sexual abuse. Data published by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in 2017, indicates that between 1950 to 2010, the Divine Word Missionaries had settled three claims in relation to child sexual abuse allegations made against the Congregation.

We invite former victims to tell us confidentially what information they may have, and we will explain what options are available to help with these cases.

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