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Accusations of Abuse in Institutions

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The Dominion Post
September 19, 2002

Child abuse claims 'disgusting'


A Christchurch based nun has described as "disgusting" the allegations that she was involved in child abuse 40 years ago at a Brisbane orphanage run by the Sisters of Nazareth.

"I find some of (the claims) quite disgusting - that anyone could even think those thoughts," said Sister Bernard, who now runs a Sisters of Nazareth old people's home.

"There is no truth in them, absolutely not."

A group of women is suing for compensation over alleged abuse at the Brisbane orphanage, Nazareth House, where Sister Bernard was second in charge from the late 1950s to the early 1960s.

One Melbourne woman has alleged that she was raped by a priest and frequently assaulted by Sister Bernard.

Sister Bernard, 69, believed she was a victim of a conspiracy, because the children were often dumped by their mothers.

"Strangely enough, when that rejection rises to the surface, it's not the parent they go back to, it's the person who looked after them." -- NZPA

Supplied by New Zealand Press Association