"...we acknowledge with deep sadness and regret that a number of clergy and religious have sexually abused children, adolescents and adults who have been in their pastoral care. To these victims we offer our sincere apology. " New Zealand' Catholic bishops
The Church's processes for dealing with complaints of sexual abuse can be read in the document A Path to Healing, Te Houhanga Rongo
Abuse can be sexual, physical or emotional. The Church takes reports of all forms of abuse seriously. Almost all of the cases that have been before the courts involve sexual abuse.
Paedophilia (adult attraction towards children) and ephebophilia (adult attraction towards adolescents) is an illness that can be treated, but cannot be cured.
People with these illnesses should never be in positions of trust and authority. Unfortunately, in the past, they have been allowed into the priesthood and religious life. Even after harming others, they have been allowed further contact with children and young people. The Church recognises the terrible damage that these mistakes caused.
Until the 1980's commonly accepted medical opinion was that offenders could be rehabilitated. The Church, with its culture of forgiveness, accepted this mistaken opinion.
Medical research in the 1980's showed that paedophiles should never be allowed contact with children or adolescents.
Sadly, the Church did not change its procedures quickly enough and there have been cases of abuse that happened even during the 80's. The Church's lack of guidelines for responding to complaints meant that it was sometimes made more traumatic for victim/survivors to come forward.
In 1993 a provisional Protocol was adopted, but more transparency was needed. In 1998 the Church published a document of principles and procedures for the whole NZ Church to follow. It was immediately accepted by all dioceses and religious orders, reviewed in 2001 and again in 2007.
The document is called A Path to Healing, Te Houhanga Rongo
Part one: Principles for dealing with complaints of sexual abuse
"The Catholic Church's response to sexual abuse by clergy and religious must be founded on an acknowledgement of the wrong which has been done to those who have suffered from the abuse."
Part two: Procedures for dealing with complaints of sexual abuse
A "basic framework" for the Church to follow to work actively and constantly to hear the truth, and towards prevention. It will not solve the problem and it does not mean that further investigation, research and education is not required.
The Church is doing all it can to:
"...we invite all interested persons in the community to work together to find ways to respond more effectively to the evil of sexual abuse within the Church." from A Path to Healing, Te Houhanga Rongo
"Standards for Volunteers and Employees in Ministry". These are provided as a means of protection for the "worker", the Church and those for whom services are provided. August 2008
Guidelines for those who work voluntarily in Church agencies. The guidelines' purpose is for the protection of the volunteers, the Church and those for whom they are providing their services.
The Church is indebted to those who have come forward "It is our sincere hope that the processes outlined in A Path to Healing -Te Houhanga Rongo will enable swift and compassionate responses to all allegations of sexual abuse." A Path to Healing, Te Houhanga Rongo
"A compassionate response to the complainant must be the first priority in all cases of abuse. Complaints against clerics and religious must always be taken seriously..." from A Path to Healing, Te Houhanga Rongo
Criminal sexual or physical abuse is a matter for the police, if that is the wish of the victim/survivor.
Many victim/survivors also want to see the Catholic church contribute to their healing. To help all those who have been hurt by abuse, in 1998 the Catholic church created principles and procedures for dealing with sexual abuse of all types. The document is called A Path to Healing, Te Houhanga Rongo.
If you, or someone you know has been abused by a Catholic priest or member of a religious congregation, we urge you to seek counselling and healing. You do not have to report the abuse to the church, but if you do the Church will take your story seriously - even if you prefer to remain anonymous, and even if the abuse happened many years ago.
If you report the abuse to the police, the Church will not protect the accused/offender from the processes of civil law nor hide the facts from those who are entitled to know them.
Auckland: (09) 360 3003
Hamilton: (07) 856 6989
Palmerston North: (06) 357 1980
Wellington: (04) 496 1766 0800 005 346
Christchurch: (03) 325 2770
Dunedin: (03) 474 5750 (Office hours) (03) 477 6030 (After hours)
To contact Religious Orders, or for further information please contact Catholic Communications.
If you consider the outcome of your complaint to be unsatisfactory or inconclusive, you can request an independent review of processes.
John Jamieson, former Commissioner of Police, is the Director of the National Office for Professional Standards (NOPS).
His role is to conduct an independent review when requested. He is also establishing best practice (including a review of the protocol), training needs for the protocol committees and promoting research into causes, effects and prevention of sexual abuse.
The role of the reviewer needs to be transparent and independent. John is not a Catholic and has a long history of public service and impartiality in law enforcement. He is involved in several ecumenical ministries and restorative justice initiatives. He will ensure that reviews are conducted fairly, thoroughly and independently.
The National Office for Professional Standards has recently issued some guidelines called "Standards for Volunteers and Employees in Ministry". These are provided as a means of protection for the "worker", the Church and those for whom services are provided.
Contact details phone (04) 499-4715 Fax (04) 499-4716
Copyright 2008 Catholic Communications for the NZ Catholic Bishops' Conference
