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A former Catholic school student who was sexually abused by a priest suffered a mental breakdown after the incident.

The man, who identified himself as Ah Him in an interview with TVB Jade News, said he was sexually assaulted by a trainee priest in 1991 and 1992, when he was a 15-year-old student at St Joseph's Boys' school in Kwun Tong Road, in Kowloon Bay.

The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong last night confirmed that Ah Him had been abused by one of three priests found guilty of sex abuse by the Church. The Church offered counselling and an apology.

Chancellor of the diocese Father Lawrence Lee Len also confirmed that the case happened at St Joseph's.

He said the church first received the complaint in 1991 and Cardinal John Baptist Wu Cheng-chung appointed a priest to investigate. But Father Lee failed to explain why the church did not take any action until 1995.

The Vicar General, Reverend Dominic Chan, a deputy of Cardinal Wu, took up the case and the offending priest was expelled in the same year. Father Lee said offending priests could still 'enter into eternal life' as long as they made up for their sins by going through purgatory.

It is understood that the priest involved has since become an insurance agent.

The South China Morning Post  contacted the school but the principal failed to return calls.

Ah Him said he had informed another priest about the abuse at the time. But, he said, his complaint was ignored.

A police spokesman yesterday confirmed that the Ngau Tau Kok police station received a report from Ah Him in 1999.

Ah Him complained he was sexually assaulted at least twice. 'The police decided to close the file after a full investigation found no evidence to support the allegation,' the spokesman said.

'We do not rule out the possibility of reviewing the case. We are trying to gather more information.'

However, Father Lee said the Church had never been contacted by police in connection with Ah Him's case.

Reliable sources said Ah Him suffered a mental breakdown a few years after the abuse took place.  It is not known if his breakdown was linked to the abuse.

Legislator Lau Kong-wah, who is vice-chairman of the Legco security panel, last night urged the police to review the complaint made by the victim. 'The police have obviously overlooked the seriousness of the complaint . . . The police should launch a full investigation into the matter.

'The revelation of the victim contradicts what the police said earlier about having never received complaints about sexual abuse by priests in Hong Kong.'

A 24-hour hotline has been set up to allow Hong Kong Catholics to express their views on the sex abuse controversy. Kevin Lai, executive secretary of the Diocesan Office for Laity Formation, said the hotline on 2885 0025 would be open until May 13. Constructive comments would be passed to the Church hierarchy.

The office is an independent body which organises activities under the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong.



Abuse victim had breakdown amid long fight to be heard