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The Press
July 31, 2002
Bishop apologises to family
by Cate Brett
The
Catholic Bishop of Christchurch has apologised to a family of former
parishioners for failing to adequately support them after their 17-year-old son
was sexually assaulted by a fellow priest.
The boy was the first known victim of Father Alan Woodcock whom
The mother, a practising Catholic, and her son, now 40, met Bishop John Cunneen yesterday morning to confront him over his handling
of the 1979 indecent assault that left the boy deeply scarred.
At the time Bishop Cunneen was the family's parish
priest in Rangiora.
The boy, whose identity is suppressed, was picked up in
Instead, he was taken to the
Woodcock, who succeeded in having his name -- but not his occupation --
suppressed in court, was convicted and given a suspended sentence.
The man's mother said as their parish priest the then Father John Cunneen -- whom she respected and still regarded as a
family friend -- had visited once after the assault and expressed regret at
what had happened.
Despite Bishop Cunneen's ongoing involvement with the
family the incident was never mentioned again nor was there any follow-up with their
son or offer of counselling or support for the family.
"Emotionally I think he hasn't grown since that time. He trusts nobody.
"What's hurting most of all now, is knowing this
man (Woodcock) was allowed to carry on offending and ruining more lives."
She said by papering over the event and not offering counselling and support
the damage to her son had been cemented.
"It's affected this family for 23 years and what has the Church done to
repair the damage? Nothing."
In a recent statement to The Press Bishop Cunneen
spoke of being "personally shocked by the disclosures about sex abuse
hitherto unknown to me" and stated that care and healing for the victims
was his " first priority".
The woman said she wanted to see these words in action.
The Press asked Bishop Cunneen to respond to a series
of questions relating to his handling of the incident, including what steps he
had taken to ensure the victim and his family had been supported spiritually
and psychologically after the assault.
The bishop did not respond to the questions other than to say he was in
discussion with the family and the religious congregation involved.
However, the woman said Bishop Cunneen had received
her and her son warmly and expressed genuine regret at the lack of action at
the time.
He had explained that he had passed the matter on to the Marists and believed
they would have followed it up and was sorry to learn they had not.
He had not approached them since then because he had not wanted to "open
old wounds".
He was organising for the Marist brothers to visit the family next week and see
what help could be offered.