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Accusations of Abuse in Institutions

 

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The Press
August 6, 2002

Bishop to meet 'victims'

The Catholic Bishop of Christchurch is opening his doors to people who believe they were victims of sexual abuse by church workers.

Bishop John Cunneen has already apologised to a family of former parishioners for failing to adequately support them after their son, 17, was sexually assaulted by a priest.

The boy was the first known victim of former Marist priest Alan Woodcock, who Wellington police are trying to extradite from overseas to face multiple abuse allegations in New Zealand.

The mother and her son, now 40, confronted Bishop Cunneen last week about the 1979 indecent assault and he expressed his regret over his handling of the situation.

After an approach from the Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse Trust, Bishop Cunneen has said he is prepared to see alleged victims if they make an appointment with his secretary.