John William Chute, 86, is facing 16 charges against six victims between 1979 and 1986. There are 14 counts of indecent assault of a minor, one charge of buggery without consent and one charge of an act of indecency with a minor.

Mr Chute, who was known at school as Brother Kostka, was a teacher at Marist College Canberra at the time of the alleged offences.

Mr Chute is facing a special hearing, with no jury, due to declining health including Parkinson's Disease and dementia. He appeared briefly via video link and then was excused from appearing for the rest of the trial.

Pleas of not guilty have automatically been entered as the legislation dictates for special hearings.

Three alleged victims read statements to the court which were accepted as evidence in the case against Mr Chute.

One victim told the court he began at Marist as a 10-year-old boy and came to the attention of Mr Chute because his older brothers had given the teacher grief.

He described Mr Chute as "Santa Claus without the beard" and said he often wore a Cassock (a religious gown) without pants or underwear underneath.

He said Mr Chute would walk around the class, lean against him and rub his penis and genitals against his arm. He said this was a daily occurrence and also happened to other students.

"If you made eye contact with him you would be next," the man said.

The victim broke down in tears as he recalled feeling powerless and told the court he even reported the abuse to police as a child and was told he was making it up as Marist Brothers would never do such things.

He said the abuse came to a head when, during a film screening organised by Mr Chute, the teacher allegedly put his hands down his pants and fondled him. The victim said he stood up, began smashing his head against the wall and repeatedly yelled "leave me alone".

He had to be carried outside by several people and he said he was avoided by other students after that.

The victim said he had been left with lifelong trust issues, a fear of public spaces and being touched and prolonged anger at the institutions that had failed him.

"I feel broken," he said.

Another victim gave evidence that Mr Chute had allegedly abused him 20 to 30 times, perhaps even more.

He said the alleged abuse began when the boy returned a cassette to Mr Chute in his office and the teacher bear hugged him before he reached into his pants and fondled him.

"I was very confused and unsure when Brother Kostka touched me like this," the victim said, also breaking down in the courtroom.

"I was upset he would do this to me."

On one occasion Mr Chute took the victim to dinner and afterwards took him to the empty school and allegedly fondled his penis.

The victim recalled telling Mr Chute, "you can't keep doing this to me, I'm too old, it's not right."

He said he became withdrawn, his school results suffered and he developed a drug dependency.

He said when his parents asked whether Mr Chute had ever touched him he told them he had not, because he felt too embarrassed.

He said it had caused him to question his sexuality and had put a strain on his marriage.

A number of friends and family of the victims were called to give evidence attesting to the ongoing issues the men had suffered as a result of the alleged abuse.

The trial continues.