Catholic abuse survivors who continue to remain unsatisfied want New Zealand Catholic Church leaders to do more than just make statements. “We have made changes, and we remain committed to continuing this work to ensure accountability and healing” Bishop Stephen Lowe, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference, and Rev. Tom Rouse, president of the Congregational Read more
The Catholic Church in New Zealand has pledged to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and Faith-based Institutions. On 27 September, in the most detailed statement to date from any Church or the State, Catholic Church leaders expressed deep regret and committed to concrete actions to Read more
The Anglican Church, Presbyterian Support Southland and the Salvation Army are the only groups to meet a key deadline recommended by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. Even the Government missed the deadline. The Catholic Church says its response is nearing completion and will be made public by the end of the Read more
The Government will cover costs for survivors of abuse in care to attend a long-awaited national apology – after some missed out on support to witness the tabling of the Royal Commission of Inquiry report. Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford says it’s critically important Government “gets it right” and the apology is well-run, survivors are Read more
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference and the Catholic Congregational Leaders Conference of Aotearoa NZ have welcomed the final report of the Royal Commission on Abuse in Care. The “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light” report was made public on Wednesday afternoon after being tabled in Parliament. The bishops and congregational Read more
Some 29 Community Law Canterbury (CLC) staff say they are concerned about the appointment of new chief executive Lawrence Kimberley, a former Anglican priest. CLC provided legal services to many survivors who gave witness statements to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into abuse in faith-based institutions. It also acted for clients in claims against faith-based Read more
Financial compensation is just a starting point for a survivor of abuse at the Marylands School – he is calling for more. Darryl Smith suffered at the hands of the John of God Brothers in Australia and New Zealand. He has already undergone a redress settlement process in Australia and received compensation from the Queensland Read more
Darryl Smith says having the Royal Commission interim report “Stolen Lives, Marked Souls” on Marylands out in public is a good thing. Smith is a former student at Marylands School and a survivor. The Royal Commission acknowledges his quest for justice. He is pleased that finally the children’s cries for help that were ignored by Read more
“Abhorrent and should never have happened” is how Archbishop Paul Martin describes the sexual abuse at Marylands School. Martin is responding in a media release to the Royal Commission’s interim report Stolen Lives, Marked Souls. The report into the St John of God brothers’ Marylands School in Christchurch was released on Wednesday. Martin suggests it Read more
The Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses (Australasia) Limited has filed an application for judicial review regarding the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Abuse in Care. It is seeking the review as well as a High Court declaration saying the Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW) church does not assume responsibility for the care of children, young people, or Read more