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Accusations of Abuse in Institutions

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New Zealand Herald
February 24, 2003

Change attitude to abuse
Editorial

The Catholic Church's prescription for the co-ordinated internal handling of sex abuse complaints against New Zealand clergy, "A Path to Healing - Te Houhanga Rongo", is an impressive document.

It pledges openness and transparency; that "the truth when found will not be hidden". Step by step, it sets out how complaints should be handled. Regrettably, its sentiments and procedures have not always been abided by. So much so that the church faces calls for an independent body to take over its internal handling of such complaints.

There are reasons why the good intentions of the Path to Healing have sometimes fallen on stony ground. One is the church's structure. It can be difficult to get a united response when some of its almost 40 religious orders cherish a degree of independence. That, however, is no excuse for not reacting appropriately to the sexual abuses crisis; for being more interested in protecting the reputation of an order and a vocation than treating complainants compassionately.

This misguided sentiment has underpinned a history of alternately covering up, denying and mishandling the problem of paedophile priests. Worldwide, the process involved hush money and the reassigning of known paedophiles to other parishes. Inevitably, the damage could not be limited, and late last year the scandal finally prompted the resignation of Cardinal Bernard Law, the most senior Catholic official in the United States.

Some time before then, the church in New Zealand has appeared to go on to the front foot. In June, a pledge of increased openness was accompanied by an admission that 38 confirmed cases of abuse had been committed by men in its ranks since the 1950s. There was also a proclamation of zero tolerance towards sexual abusers, an admission of guilt, an apology and a pledge to put things right. Three orders set up toll-free hotlines to help people to report abuse claims. Calls poured in.

That appears to have been a daunting experience for the Society of Mary, traditionally the largest order of priests. It no longer answers its hotline. It is also accused by complainants of taking a legalistic approach, rather than following Path to Healing procedures. Legal ploys were also used widely in the US. They buy time but only at the cost of people's faith and trust, and the church's moral authority.

Not all orders have failed the Path to Healing test. The Brothers of St John of God and the Marist Brothers have been praised by victims for their straightforward, considerate approach. St John of God is paying substantial compensation, and the head of the order has visited all complainants to hear their story and apologise. Significantly, a retired High Court judge, Sir Rodney Gallen, was appointed to oversee the process.

The work of such orders should be the focus when the issue of sexual abuse is tackled by the annual conference of church leaders, which is being held at Waikanae. Better databases and the like will help towards a more co-ordinated approach, as may an early review of Path to Healing procedures. But a change in attitude is even more important. It does not inspire confidence that, despite last June's pledge, the church will not provide up-to-date detailed information about the number of complaints received, their nature and how it dealt with them.

Such attempted damage limitation is doomed to failure. It is also indicative of an institution that learns slowly. If the church cannot prod itself and its more recalcitrant orders along the path of truth, openness and compassion, the faith of more people will be shattered. And the drums will beat ever louder for an independent avenue for complaints.