The father of a former choirboy, who prosecutors alleged had been abused by George Pell, has launched legal action against the cardinal and the Catholic Church.
In December 2018, Cardinal Pell was convicted of abusing two choirboys in the 1990s during his time as archbishop of Melbourne.
Two years later the High Court of Australia quashed the convictions in a unanimous decision, and the cardinal — who has always maintained his innocence — walked free.
One of the former choirboys died in 2014 of a drug overdose.
His father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was told by police about the alleged abuse of his son a year later.
He has now launched legal action against Cardinal Pell and the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne in the Supreme Court of Victoria.
The father, given the pseudonym RWQ in the statement of claim lodged to the court, is suing both the cardinal and church for "damages for nervous shock" relating to finding out about allegations of sexual abuse.
RWQ and his solicitors from Shine Lawyers claim the cardinal and the Archdiocese were negligent, which resulted in injuries, loss and damage.
The claim alleges Cardinal Pell is liable for his mental injury because it is reasonably foreseeable that he would suffer nervous shock from learning of the alleged abuse.
He and his solicitors claim the Archdiocese breached a duty of care to RWQ, which caused his injury.
He is claiming general damages, special damages and seeking compensation for "past loss of earning capacity and past and future medical and like expenses". The sum he is seeking will be revealed if the matter goes to trial before a judge.
Shine Lawyers Chief Legal Officer, Lisa Flynn, said the criminal case and the High Court decision would not affect the civil proceedings.
"The High Court made some decisions in relation to the criminal prosecution against [George] Pell, our case is a civil case against George Pell and the Catholic Archdiocese. There are different paths to justice," she said.
The ABC has contacted the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne for comment.
