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Allegations
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Wayne Hughes, the
Takapuna Assembly of God pastor at the centre of sexual abuse allegations, is
taking early retirement. In a letter to the
Takapuna church board Mr Hughes cited personal reasons - the need to care for
his wife who suffers from Parkinson's disease and the stress caused by the
publicity on his family and his own "health and emotional and spiritual
wellbeing". He was also concerned about the effect on the church. "The recent
publicity that has erupted is hurting the church family. This is not good for
the Takapuna Church nor the Assemblies of God in New Zealand - both of which
I love. "The recent
publicity that has erupted is hurting the church family. This is not good for
the Takapuna Church nor the Assemblies of God in New Zealand - both of which
I love. "For these reasons
I have personally decided to bring forward my retirement and step back from
my current pastoral responsibilities, effective immediately." Mr Hughes blames Nasir
Ali for first raising the sexual abuse claims 10 years ago. Mr Ali, who
served one year of a three-year term for burglary in the early 90s, was
briefly married to Mr Hughes' daughter Angela in a Muslim ceremony. The abuse of a teenager
occurred 20 years ago but the victim has not laid a complaint with the
police. Both Mr Hughes and the victim have acknowledged some form of abuse
occurred. Assemblies of God
general superintendent Ken Harrison said Mr Hughes' decision would not affect
the church's investigation into the matter. "I cannot say any more at
this time, as our investigations are continuing, as it would for any one of
our credential holders, whether they are pastoring in a church or not,"
he said. He said it should be
noted that the movement had been investigating the claim since last November
and there had never been a cover up. "Bearing in mind
the need for the movement to observe the principles of natural justice in
that investigation, it would be inappropriate to provide further detailed
comment until such time as all the relevant and admissible evidence has been
collected and considered." |
