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Accusations of Abuse in Institutions

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The Press
September 18 2002

Abuse focus of conference
by Yvonne Martin

The Catholic Church's response to allegations of misconduct against its clergy is a focus of 99 canon lawyers meeting in Christchurch this week.

The Canon Law Society of Australia and New Zealand is holding its yearly conference in the city, attracting canon lawyers from Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United States.

Such lawyers administer canon law, or the body of rules that govern every aspect of Church life from the election of the Pope to marriage annulments.

Yesterday's international speaker, Rev Gregory Ingels, from the Archdiocese of San Francisco, spoke of the wave of abuse allegations against religious members that has rocked the Church in the United States.

Society executive member Fr Anthony Malone, of Auckland, said the focus was on assessing each case on its merits and not overlooking the rights of victims and their families.

It was important for institutions to stay focused on the process and not be distracted by outside influences, such as media pressure, he said.

Society president Fr Robert McGuckin, of Sydney, said the Church was not running away from abuse allegations against religious members.

"Occasionally somebody might say `it must be terrible being a priest these days'," said Fr McGuckin.

"I don't see that at all. I think it's an occasion for renewal for the Church and we're all part of the Church."

Another contentious issue for canon lawyers is how privacy legislation affects the Church's work -- such as who can access its historic records -- and the flow of information, for example between a Catholic school and parish priest.

The 36th annual conference ends tomorrow.