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Accusations of Abuse in Institutions

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Newstalk ZB
February 28, 2004

Bishop's comments defended

Catholic church defends comments of Auckland Bishop, that church not legally resposible for compensation

Auckland's Catholic Bishop has caused outrage with his comments about a sexual abuse case.

Three brothers who were violated in an Auckland parish four decades ago have received a payout from the Catholic church.

Bishop Patrick Dunn has told the brothers the church is not legally responsible for their compensation.

The Catholic church is defending the comments.

Spokeswoman Lyndsay Freer says the church has a moral and spiritual obligation to its members.

She says money is not necessarily the only part of the healing process.

She says any cases of abuse are to the church's "great shame".

Lyndsay Freer says she is confident the church has handled this case properly.