The survivor, Brendon Bowkett, having witnessed horrific violence and abuse as a child, is calling for urgent reforms in the way the Catholic Church investigates complaints.

In 2022 Bowkett left New Zealand and is now a paediatric surgeon living in Newcastle, Australia.

He recently spoke out about the abuse he experienced and witnessed at two Catholic schools.

Bowkett says he reported the abuse to the church's complaints body (NOPS) which said it looked at sexual abuse only, not physical abuse.

Change needed

Bowkett, who attended both St Paul's High School and other Catholic institutions in New Zealand, described enduring physical and psychological abuse which even now continues to haunt him.

"The worst part of what I experienced was the violence, the grooming - watching many friends experience really unrelenting psychological and physical violence on a scale that would put these perpetrators in prison if they were still alive" he said.

NOPS and physical abuse

Five years ago, Bowkett lodged an official complaint with the Catholic Church's National Office for Professional Standards.

NOPS issued a statement defending its processes but not clarifying why physical abuse complaints are excluded.

"We take all complaints seriously" the Office stated, though no further explanation was provided about how non-sexual abuse cases are handled.

Bowkett however remains firm in his belief that broader changes are necessary. "In my opinion, we've crossed the threshold and a crime against humanity and against these children has occurred" he said, speaking about the long-term impact on survivors like himself.

Christian Brothers respond

The Christian Brothers Oceania Province, the religious order involved in Bowkett's case, released a statement emphasising their commitment to handling all complaints responsibly.

"All claims are dealt with on their merits and we encourage all people to be independently legally represented" the statement read.

Sources

• RNZ
• RNZ

Adams had commented earlier in response to a letter to the editor published in the Manawatu Standard by Dr Christopher Longhurst, leader of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP).

Puzzling response

Adams says he remains puzzled by Longhurst's unwillingness to accept and recognise a culture change in the Church he works for.

He acknowledges Longhurst's work in the area of sexual abuse by priests.

"I acknowledge the work of survivors and their advocates has been critical in bringing to light the scourge of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church and in our wider society", writes Adams.

"As the Roman Catholic Bishop of Palmerston North, I remain convinced the Church has made significant strides in her efforts over recent times to make the Catholic Church a safe place for children and vulnerable adults, but with no room for complacency or a sense that a job has been completed.

"Our culture has changed, and it must continue to change."

Adams went on to express his trust in the work of police investigators and the Church's National Office for Professional Standards.

Zero appetite

In his letter, Longhurst said that Adams' earlier assurances that there is "Zero appetite for a culture of abuse in the Catholic Church" do not ring true.

He says that Adams' July 30 claim that, if an accusation were made against a Church member, that Church member would be stood down is not true.

Longhurst says he has a complaint against a priest that is under investigation, but that the priest is still in active ministry in the Palmerston North Diocese.

Christopher Longhurst

He says the situation is compounded by the refusal of Adams' professional standards office to allow the investigations into that complaint to proceed.

He also claims that an unnamed priest in an allegation made by Steven Carvell was never stood down when the allegation was made and that, even in retirement, that priest remains in ministry while the Church investigations continue.

Source

• Manawatu Standard

SNAP's unhappy letter to Pope Francis follows the New Zealand Government's exclusion of faith-based survivors from early compensation pay-outs and a failed appeal to the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.

The Government wants faith-based institutions to continue with their own redress schemes.

Abuse survivor and spokesperson for SNAP, Dr Christopher Longhurst (pictured), says it is his opinion that victims and survivors in New Zealand were not being treated justly under the Catholic Church's redress scheme.

However, Steve Lowe, Bishop of Auckland and Secretary of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference, counter's Longhurst's opinion saying the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference and congregational leaders have listened to survivors through the inquiry hearings and implemented changes.

Lowe, in a statement, told CathNews that the New Zealand Government is in the process of forming an independent redress scheme for survivors of abuse in state and faith-based institutions and that the scheme follows on from interim recommendations made by the NZ Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

He says the Church is continually updating and improving the complaints and disclosure processes to help survivors of abuse and will continue to engage actively on improvements throughout the remaining time of the Royal Commission and beyond.

Lowe says that the Church recognising the introduction of this scheme will result in significant changes to the Church's National Office of Professional Standards and A Path to Healing.

Longhurst remains unhappy.

He says he wrote to Cardinal Dew in November 2019, to the New Zealand Bishops Conference and even to the Pope's representative, Apostolic Nuncio to New Zealand Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa, but his group is being ignored.

Following his unsuccessful bid to attract their attention, Longhurst accuses the Church of both a lack of integrity and competence to deal with the matters.

He alleges that while publicly the leaders of the local Catholic church extend an "open hand to the hope of healing", behind closed doors they traumatise survivors a second time by violating their own procedures. He accuses the director of the National Office of Professional Standards of falsifying the review report of an independent director.

Writing to the pope, Longhurst says:

"Most sadly, we are being harmed by the very Church office set up to provide healing, the Church's National Office for Profession Standards, tasked with administering Te Houhanga Rongo - A Path To Healing (APTH).

"Sadly, for some time now, NOPS officials have been breaching APTH's very principles and procedures in managing complaints cases.

"In one case, the NOPS director even falsified the review report of an independent investigator.

"Consequently, abuse survivors are not only being denied the promised compassionate and fair response but also re-traumatised by the very office set up to provide a path to healing," Longhurst says in his letter.

Reuters says it is uncertain if the Pope has yet seen the letter.

Sources

• Reuters
• Supplied: SNAP
• Supplied: NZCBC

Hipkins has plans to cut a 3000-strong waiting list of claimants of abuse in state care - such as children's homes - by making "rapid payments".

Survivors of abuse in religious and faith-based settings are not included.

Hipkins said the new scheme would cover both state and religious claimants, but faith-based institutions would for now provide their own claims and redress processes.

"While we are engaging with faith-based institutions, it is currently up to each of them to determine whether to introduce faster payment processes," he said.

"It's worth noting that faith-based institutions can often settle claims more quickly than these agencies."

Dave Mullin (pictured), who leads the Te Ropu Tautoko catholic church group dealing with the Commission and the Crown Response Unit, said they were closely studying the Cabinet paper that detailed Hipkins' announcement.

"We are seeking clarity from government officials on how and when matters of faith-based redress will be incorporated into this process, and we look forward to engaging in the work.

"Meanwhile, the church asks survivors who - due to serious ill-health or age - may not be able to engage with the proposed independent redress system, to approach the Church's National Office for Professional Standards" said Mullin.

However, some survivors say it would be better if the government got involved in the process.

In testimony given earlier in the year to the Royal Commission, a number of church organisations said they offered survivors an apology, an ex gratia payment based on the level of abuse, and the offer of counselling.

Testimony to the Royal Commission showed the response between various religious organisations inside the Catholic Church was not even.

Different church and faith-based groups, eg Anglican, Brethren, Catholic, Jehovah's Witnesses and the Salvation Army, also responded differently from each other.

Abuse survivor Steve Goodlass said the government had failed to honour the intent of the commission's interim payment recommendation.

"It's disturbing because the government has just redefined stuff in there and completely ostracised one group or has discriminated against faith-based survivors," he said.

"Even people in the state systems, they're getting shafted again. Why hold a commission when you're just going to exclude people and ignore key principles? It's just awful," he said.

Unhappy with how the Bishops National Office for Professional Standards (NOPS) has settled abuse cases, survivor group SNAP focussed solely on the Catholic Church's response saying it wants a more immediate reply from the Catholic Church.

It also wants the bishops to set up an independent committee with input from SNAP Aotearoa and its survivor members.

When NOPS was established, it was a body of "second instance", a place where survivors could appeal if they thought a Catholic Church body had not properly handled their case.

It was headed by retired Police Commissioner John Jamieson.

Some years later, under the leadership of former priest and social worker Mr Bill Kilgallon, NOPS became the body of "first instance" for most Catholic religious groups.

NOPS continues to operate as a place of first instance under the current director, former lawyer Virginia Noonan.

Sources

• RNZ
• Supplied

She will provide support to dioceses, congregations and Catholic organisations in the continued implementation of safeguarding practices around New Zealand.

NOPS is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Catholic Church's policy and procedures for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

Bishop Steve Lowe of the National Committee for Professional Standards says "all dioceses have confirmed adoption of a national safeguarding policy which sets consistent expectations of how to develop and maintain safe environments in all of our Church entities."

NOPS is developing a range of support materials and resources to support parishes and others wanting to implement safeguarding practices.

A key initiative is the rollout of safeguarding workshops to support volunteers and employees undertake their roles safely and with confidence.

Dioceses are at various stages of delivery of Workshop One, which is for all those who work with or provide ministry to children and/or vulnerable adults.

Director of the NOPS, Virginia Noonan, is overseeing the national safeguarding roll-out and has been meeting with various groups of people in each diocese to support this work.

Ko te mahi a te Tari Paerewa Ngaio-a-Motu (NOPS), ko te whakarite i te mahere rautaki, ko te tutohu i nga tikanga mo te kaupapa here me nga tukanga to te Hahi Katorika mo te haumarutanga me te manaaki i nga tamariki me nga pakeke paraheahea. E hangaia ana e ia etehi rauemi hei awhina i nga pekanga a te Hahi kia noho haumaru ona kainga.

Ko te haepapa a NOPs ko te whakautu i nga whakapae e pa ana ki nga mahi tukino i roto i te Hahi me te tirotiro i nga whakapae tukino a te kahui amorangi, hunga parata me nga whaea tapu.

NOPS sets the strategic direction and ensures compliance of the Catholic Church's safeguarding policy and procedures for children and vulnerable adults.

NOPS is also responsible for responding to complaints of abuse in the Church and overseeing the investigation of complaints of sexual abuse against clergy and members of religious orders.

Source

Supplied: New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference - Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa

The website provides a platform for information on reporting abuse, safeguarding information and any related policies or documents.

NOPS Director, Virginia Noonan, says "the website provides another channel for reporting abuse and providing information on safeguarding in the Church, including policies and protocols guiding this work. The site will also allow us to better communicate this work with a wider audience, providing clear, cohesive and accessible information for visitors".

Included on the website are easily downloadable guidelines, policies and standards for use in parishes throughout New Zealand. Te Houhanga Rongo - A Path to Healing, the Church's protocol for responding to complaints of sexual abuse against clergy or religious, is also available for downloading.

The National Office for Professional Standards sets the strategic direction and ensures compliance of the Catholic Church's safeguarding policy and procedures for children and vulnerable adults. It is developing a range of support materials and resources to assist Church entities to develop and maintain safe environments.

NOPS is also responsible for responding to complaints of abuse in the Church and overseeing the investigation of complaints of sexual abuse against clergy and members of religious orders.

Source:

Supplied: catholic.org.nz Amanda Gregan New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference. Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa

NOPS director Virginia Noonan would only say when contacted her office took all complaints seriously, and church protocols now required an independent party to investigate such complaints. Continue reading

Noonan, who most recently worked as the inaugural safeguarding coordinator for the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch, took up this new role in January.

NOPS sets out the strategic direction of the Catholic Church's safeguarding policy for children, young people and adults at risk.

It is also responsible for monitoring and auditing the compliance of dioceses and religious orders with these safeguarding principles and procedures.

NOPS also responds to all complaints of abuse in the Church and manages the complaints procedure.

Noonan has been involved in a wide range of organisations, including private legal practice, directorships on both local and national boards, as a consultant for the government in both statutory management and governance facilitation roles.

When her appointment was announced, Noonan said "I am clear that safeguarding is not simply an issue of compliance, but is an integral part of the life and ministry of the Church.

"As every person has been created in the image and likeness of God, we have a duty to value and safeguard all people within our Church community," she said.

Mr Phil Hamlin, Chair of the NPSC said, "we are delighted that Virginia will take up the position, building on the good work done to date by the present incumbent, Bill Kilgallon."

Hamlin also expressed his gratitude for the work carried out over the past five years by Kilgallon. "Bill has been a real asset to the Office, always with a considered, objective and compassionate approach to his work."

Source

Supplied: NZCBC

Kilgallon is the Director of the National Office for Professional Standards of the Catholic Church in New Zealand.

Dr. Krysten Winter-Green, another New Zealander now resident in the United States, has also been appointed to the Commission.

Bill has lived in New Zealand for the last four years.

Prior to that he had a long career in social work and health services in the United Kingdom.

"In accepting this role I'm very aware of the responsibility it entails as the Church across the world learns from the past, brings together best practice and works to make changes now and for the future," Kilgallon says.

In a statement, published following its first meeting, the Commission said "from the very beginning of our work, we have adopted the principle that the best interests of a child or vulnerable adult are primary when any decision is made."

Kilgallon said "This is certainly true for my contribution to this work."

Winter-Green has a post-graduate degrees in Theology, Human Development, Social Work, Religion and Pastoral Psychology. She has served in dioceses around the world with homeless persons and those living with AIDS.

She is presently working for the Archdiocese of Boston.

Her concentration in the areas of child abuse include forensics, assessment and treatment of priest/clergy offenders.

Commenting on Kilgallon's appointment, Archbishop John Dew, President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference, said, "It is pleasing to us that a New Zealander can contribute to the very important work of the Commission,"

Dew said that New Zealand is fortunate to have some one with such international experience and professionalism as Kilgallon

"He can now contribute through the work of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors whose aim is to propose the necessary changes to ensure the protection of minors throughout the global Church."

"As he begins this work we offer our congratulations and prayerful support to Bill and the people and work of the Commission."

Dew was speaking on behalf of all the New Zealand Catholic Bishops.

The Commission has also gained a second abuse survivor and several women.

The next plenary session of the Commission will take place in the Vatican from 6-8 February 2015.

See: Complete List of members of Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

Read: Press release from the New Zealand Catholic Bishops

Source

• Vatican Press Office
• Vatican Radio
• New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference
• National Catholic Reporter
• Image: The Irish Times