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Accusations of Abuse in Institutions

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The Press
July 1, 2002

Sufferer rejects apology on abuse
by Lois Watson

A Christchurch man who received a secret $30,000 payout from a Catholic religious order, after alleging sexual abuse, has spurned an apology from church leaders.

"The damage is done," the man, who asked to be called Patrick, said.

In response to growing revelations of sexual offending by clergy, an open letter from New Zealand's Catholic bishops was yesterday read and distributed at services nationwide. Emerging allegations against Catholic priests and brothers, most recently prompted by an investigation by The Press, had aroused "a deep sense of sadness and betrayal", the church hierarchy said.

The bishops' letter also acknowledged that some complaints had been mishandled. "The past we cannot change.

"However, with hindsight we deplore past mistakes, especially those that were made by ourselves, or by our predecessors, in handling complaints of sexual abuse. To those who are victims of abuse, and to their families, we express our deepest regret, and most sincere apology," it said.

Hollow words, said Patrick, who believes church leaders have been too slow to act. "It's not only me; it's affected so many people.

"A lot of priests and a lot of brothers knew what was going on but they kept quiet about it -- and that's wrong. It should never have happened in the first place."

Patrick, now 51, was sent to Marylands, a Christchurch residential school for slow learners, in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The school was run by the St John of God religious order, and it was there, in an upstairs room, that a Catholic brother allegedly forced Patrick to perform oral sex and other indecencies.

Brother William Lebler, now in his 80s and living in Australia, has denied the allegations.

When Patrick came forward as an adult with the abuse allegations, St John of God responded by offering him $30,000 three years ago on condition he kept quiet about his claims.

Catholic bishops yesterday reaffirmed their commitment to a 1998 church document, A Path to Healing, which outlines procedures for dealing with abuse allegations. "We respect the wishes of any complainant who asks for complete confidentiality, just as we will give assistance to those who might wish to take their complaint to the police," the bishops said.

"As we give you an assurance of our commitment to confront this problem with openness and transparency, we ask for your support and your prayers."

Yesterday's apology from the pulpit came amid revelations that a Marist priest, who taught music at St Patrick's College, Silverstream, in the 1980s, allegedly sexually abused four students at the school before he was removed.

Father Alan Woodcock was appointed to St Patrick's in 1982 despite having already been convicted of a sex offence. Woodcock was ordained a Marist priest in 1972.

In 1979, he received a suspended sentence after being convicted of a sex offence involving a man in Christchurch. After his conviction, the Marist order sent him to a Wellington psychologist, while he studied music at Victoria University.

He took up a post in St Patrick's music department in 1982. During that year, three sixth-form boys alleged Woodcock fondled them.

Despite their claims, Woodcock was allowed to stay teaching until the end of 1982. He is also alleged to have abused another St Pat's student, who was 15 at the time.

Woodcock was then moved to Palmerston North, although not in a teaching role. After other complaints, he was shifted several times, before been barred from practising in the ministry in 1987.

He eventually ended up in Ireland, and is now laicised.

Father Denis O'Hagan, Provincial of the Society of Mary, said yesterday a number of people had been hurt by Woodcock. While some had come forward to the police and to church organisations, the Society of Mary was willing to help any others who had not yet done so.

"People should go to the police, if they have additional information. If they require assistance because of abuse by Mr Woodcock, or any member of the order, then they can come to us. We have set up a freecall helpline that they can call -- 0800 SMHELP (0800 764-356)."