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Accusations of Abuse in Institutions

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Index: Accusations in Institutions

<<< earlier News Reports Jan-April 2003 later >>>

2003-0329 - Southland Times - Sex abuse victims want more money from church
by Stu Oldham - The lawyer representing southerners abused as boys at a Christchurch Catholic residential school says his clients will not accept their share of compensation payments totalling $4 million. Christchurch-based Grant Cameron, of Grant Cameron and Associates, said his clients would tell the Order of St John its compensation offer was "insultingly low" and they would ask next week for a mediated meeting to seek a better deal.

2003-0324 - NZ Herald - Sexually abused Catholic boys accept compensation
More than 20 men who say they were sexually abused as boys by religious brothers at a Catholic residential school have confirmed they will accept a compensation deal. The St John of God Order, which ran Marylands in Christchurch for boys with intellectual and learning disabilities, has offered a total of $4 million to 56 of 75 complainants. Payouts range from about $30,000 to $100,000.

2003-0322 - The Press - Victims accept deal in sex-abuse case
by Yvonne Martin - More than 20 men who say they were sexually abused as boys by religious brothers at a Catholic residential school have confirmed they will accept a compensation deal. The St John of God Order which ran Marylands in Christchurch for boys with intellectual and learning disabilities has offered $4 million to 56 of a total 75 complainants. Payouts range from about $30,000 to $100,000. Twenty-three men of those offered money have formally accepted

2003-0318 - The Press - Sex-abuse claims target 14
by Yvonne Martin - Fourteen religious brothers were allegedly involved in sexually abusing boys at a Catholic residential school in Christchurch. The St John of God Order has offered $4 million compensation to some former pupils of Marylands, a school for boys with intellectual and learning disabilities. Former pupils have identified 13 brothers as alleged abusers to police investigators. They have also reported abuse by another unnamed brother and a nightwatchman.

2003-0318 - The Press - Confronting the past
Editorial - The agreement by a Catholic Order to pay a total of $4 million to those allegedly abused while in its care is both necessary and welcome. It signals, however belatedly, that the St John of God Order is prepared to confront its past demons by helping exorcise the painful memories of 56 complainants. Yet the hope of the Order's Australasian head, Brother Peter Burke, that the payments will bring "a sad and sorry situation to closure" can only prove unfulfilled.

2003-0317 - Southland Times - Abused offered compo
by Stu Oldham - Six Southlanders among more than 70 men allegedly subjected to ritualistic abuse as boys at a Christchurch Catholic residential school may be offered a share of compensation payments totalling $4 million. The St John of God Order hopes the payments -- the largest ever offered by a religious order in New Zealand -- will bring a "sad and sorry situation to closure." The Australasian head of the Order, Brother Peter Burke, said last night he had written to 56 of more than 70 complainants offering them compensation for sexual abuse they allegedly suffered at Marylands, a Christchurch school for boys with intellectual and learning disabilities run by the order until 1984.

2003-0317 - The Press - Church borrows to pay claimants
by Jarrod Booker - Fifty-six men who allegedly were abused as boys at a Christchurch Catholic residential school are being offered compensation payments totalling $4 million. The St John of God Order hopes the payments -- the largest offered by a religious order in New Zealand -- will bring a "sad and sorry situation to closure". The Australasian head of the Order, Brother Peter Burke, said yesterday he had written to 56 of more than 70 complainants, offering them compensation for the sexual abuse they allegedly suffered at Marylands, a Christchurch school for boys with intellectual and learning disabilities run by the Order

2003-0317 - The Press - Chch law firm signing-up abuse victims
by Yvonne Martin - A prominent Christchurch law firm is recruiting victims of a Catholic Church sex abuse scandal, as the order involved prepares to pay compensation. The St John of God Order is negotiating with 70 men alleging they were abused as boys at Marylands, the former residential school in Christchurch. Grant Cameron Associates, which already represents 10 victims, plans to meet another group of 35 men in the hope of bringing them aboard.

2003-0317 - One News - Million dollar compo for victims
Dozens of men are in line for compensation, in the largest payout in New Zealand by a religious order. St John of God is offering $4 million for alleged sex abuse at a Christchurch Catholic residential school, some 30 years ago. Marylands was supposed to be a safe haven, but some who went there as children say it was anything but

2003-0317 - One News - Compo not enough says group
An organisation which represents men who claim they were sexually abused by Roman Catholic brothers believes a multi-million dollar compensation offer will not be enough to prevent legal action. The Australasian head of the St John of God order, Brother Peter Burke, made the offer to 56 men who were in the care of the brothers at a residential school in Christchurch.

2003-0314 - Dominion Post - Extradition appeal delayed
former New Zealand priest accused of sexually abusing children has received an extra two weeks to appeal against his extradition from Britain. Alan Woodcock, 54, is accused of indecently assaulting teenage boys at Silverstream in Upper Hutt, Wellington, and Palmerston North between 1982 and 1985 while working as a teacher. The former Marist priest was arrested in London in August last year.

2003-0306 - The Press - Sexual abuse alleged
by Yvonne Martin - Whistleblowing author Louise Deans and two other women who say they were sexually harassed and abused by an Anglican priest have received payouts from the Church. The compensation, ranging from $8000 to $30,000 each, follows complaints about sexual misconduct by a once high-profile Christchurch priest, Rob McCullough, in the 1970s and 1980s. The three women were candidates for ordination in the Christchurch diocese, under the former Rev Canon McCullough's guidance.

2003-0306 - One News - Church to payout for sex abuse
The Anglican Church has reached a financial settlement with three women who were sexually abused by a former Canterbury priest. The payments relate to the actions of the priest, Rob McCullough, when he worked in Christchurch over 25 years ago.

2003-0304 - Dominion Post - Ex-priest may fight sex case extradition
by Hannah Lawrence - A former New Zealand priest accused of sexually abusing children is likely to appeal against extradition from London. Alan Woodcock, 54, is accused of indecently assaulting teenage boys at Silverstream in Upper Hutt, Wellington and Palmerston North between 1982 and 1985 while working as a teacher. The former Marist priest was arrested in London in August last year.

2003-0224 - NZ Herald - 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

2003-0222 - NZ Herald - Priests' victims fear to talk: counsellor
by James Gardiner - The Catholic Church has been asked to let an independent body take over its handling of sex abuse complaints against New Zealand clergy. The call comes from counsellor Brent Cherry, who says some victims have lost trust in the church because of coverups and mishandled complaints and fear to come forward. Bishops and leaders of the church's many religious orders begin their annual conference in Waikanae this weekend, and dealing with sex abuse claims is on the agenda. The protocol for dealing with allegations may be reviewed - three years earlier than planned. Three hotlines set up last year drew more than 100 fresh complaints.

2003-0222 - NZ Herald - Healing path reopens old wounds
by James Gardiner - When Mike Phillips decided it was time to clear the air about a secret that had hung over him for more than 36 years, he hoped the Catholic Church would practice the contrition and charity it preached. Nearly a year later Phillips, who was abused by three different clergymen as a child, has nothing but scorn and anger for one arm of the church. He is convinced they are involved in a cover-up either to protect one of their own or to protect themselves from more claims and more legal action

2003-0212 - The Press - Sensitive records stolen from safe
by Yvonne Martin - Sensitive documents regarding a woman complaining about sexual harassment against Catholic priest Jim Consedine have been stolen from his Presbytery. According to church lawyers, the Presbytery was burgled and all his documents relating to the complaint by Christchurch woman Bonnie Quilter were stolen from a safe. They were the only items stolen. Father Consedine stood down as Lyttelton parish priest last October amid allegations of sexual misconduct from four women, including Ms Quilter.

2003-0212 - Dominion Post - Documents about sexual harassment complaint stolen
Sensitive documents concerning a woman's complaint about sexual harassment against Catholic priest Jim Consedine have been stolen from his Presbytery. According to church lawyers, the Presbytery was burgled and all documents relating to the complaint by Christchurch woman Bonnie Quilter were stolen from a safe. They were the only items stolen. Father Consedine stood down as Lyttelton parish priest last October amid allegations of sexual misconduct from four women, including Ms Quilter

2003-0129 - The Press - Law firm pitches to sex abuse victims
A prominent Christchurch law firm has proposed a "united we stand, divided we fall" stance to alleged Christchurch victims of Catholic Church sex abuse, but some are sceptical. Grant Cameron, of Grant Cameron Associates, last night invited about 20 abuse victims and family members of victims to enter into the initial stages of a group action against the Order of St John of God.

2003-0119 - One News - Nuns' accusers get assessment
The cases of former residents of an orphanage in Christchurch, who alleged they were abused by nuns at the centre in the 1950s and '60s are being individully assessed. Two independant consultants are working through each claim which centres around the Sisters of Nazareth orphanage. The orphanage has repeatedly denied the allegations.

2003-0118 - The Press - Bishop warned of potential liability
by Yvonne Martin - A law firm has written to the Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, John Cunneen, warning he could potentially be liable over his handling of an errant priest. Father Jim Consedine stepped down as Lyttelton parish priest after 17 years in October amid allegations of sexual misconduct from four women, some dating back to the 1970s. He admitted misconduct and was sent by the Bishop to a programme in Sydney specialising in treating clergy.