www.peterellis.co.nz : seeking justice for Peter Ellis : mail to: [email protected]

Accusations of Abuse in Institutions

Index: Home Page Peter Ellis
Index: Accusations in Institutions

The Press
July 2, 2002

Accused priest faces extradition

New Zealand police are reconsidering whether to extradite from England a former Catholic priest accused of abusing teenage boys, as the number of complaints about the clergy mounts.

The decision follows revelations that Marist priest Alan Woodcock, a music teacher at St Patrick's College, Silverstream, in the 1980s, allegedly sexually abused four boys before being removed from the school.

It is alleged that Mr Woodcock molested at least eight boys or young men during his 20 years as a priest. At least three times, senior figures in his order, the Society of Mary, were told of the allegations.

Mr Woodcock was moved several times and sent for treatment before being suspended in 1987.

Upper Hutt CIB head Detective Sergeant Murray Porter said yesterday that police received a sex abuse complaint against Woodcock from Lower Hutt man Terry Carter in 1994, but did not seek his extradition.

Mr Porter said at the time two other alleged victims complained to police about Woodcock.

He would be contacting Mr Carter and the detective who handled the original complaints in the next two days. The detective had left the force.

Mr Porter said his review of the file would be completed by tomorrow. If he believed the evidence was sufficient he would forward the file to Interpol staff at police national headquarters for consideration. He would also lay charges in the Upper Hutt District Court.

Mr Porter expected a decision on extradition would be made quickly.

Meanwhile, Society of Mary spokesman Father Denis O'Hagan said yesterday that an 0800 phone number set up for victims to report abuse had received new allegations.

Father O'Hagan said they would be followed up, but had not yet been reported to police.

* A Christchurch group for men who have been sexually abused is holding a meeting on Friday for those affected by the Order of St John of God scandal.

Four brothers from Marylands, the Catholic order's former residential school in Christchurch, have had abuse allegations made against them. The order has paid a total of $300,000 to five complainants.

Ken Clearwater, who manages the Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Trust, has organised a meeting for former Marylands residents, their families, or other affected people.

It will be held on Friday at 10am at the Community House, 141 Hereford Street.

The Australasian order has also set up a toll-free hotline (0800 888 463) to its Sydney headquarters.