Royal Commission reveals details of its inquiry into the Catholic Church

royal commission

The Royal Commission has just made public the details of its inquiry into the Catholic Church.

During its investigation, the Royal Commission will select themes, settings or institutions as case studies of abuse.

It may conduct research and examine relevant matters in public hearings, roundtables, hui and fono.

What happened and why?
In considering the voices and experiences of victims and survivors of abuse in the care of the Catholic Church, the Inquiry will investigate and make findings on what happened and why by examining:

a. The circumstances in which children, young persons and vulnerable adults were in the care of the Catholic Church, including where the Catholic Church provided care on behalf of the State.

b. The nature and extent of abuse of children, young persons and vulnerable adults in the care of the Catholic Church.

c. The impact, including any differential impact, of abuse on victims and survivors, and on their families, whānau, hapū, iwi and communities. This will include consideration of:

  • Principles of Tikanga Māori when considering the impacts of abuse on Māori victims and survivors
  • Pacific cultural norms and values when considering the impact of abuse on victims and survivors among Pacific People
  • The impact of abuse on religious beliefs held by victims and survivors
  • Particular impacts related to disability and mental illness, including additional barriers to understanding and recognising abuse, disclosing abuse, accessing specialist wellbeing supports to respond to trauma and receiving redress.

d. Whether individuals experienced abuse in the care of the Catholic Church because of nationality, race, ethnicity, religious belief, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual disability or mental health status.

e. Any structural, systemic, practical or other factors that caused or contributed to the abuse of children, young persons and vulnerable adults in the care of the Catholic Church.

f. The adequacy of any actions by the Catholic Church to prevent and respond to abuse in its care, including any lessons learned and changes made.

g. The adequacy of the Catholic Church’s redress and rehabilitation processes for victims and survivors of abuse in its care.

h. Any applicable domestic and international human rights law.

i. Any applicable principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi.

 The Inquiry will assess and make recommendations on:
a. The Catholic Church’s current structures and frameworks, any gaps in legislation, canon law, Church policy, rules, standards and practices that require change to prevent and respond to abuse in its care.
b. Any changes required to the Catholic Church’s redress, rehabilitation and compensation processes for victims and survivors of abuse in its care.
c. Any other steps the Catholic Church should take to address the harm caused by the abuse in its care.

Where relevant, the Inquiry may make findings of fault or that relevant standards have been breached, or both.

The Inquiry does not have the power to determine the canonical, civil, criminal or disciplinary liability of any person but may make recommendations that further steps be taken to determine liability.

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