Abuse in Care report: Catholic Church does not fully accept some findings, survivor says response ‘appalling’

The Catholic Church has apologised again to survivors of abuse in its care, accepting most of the Royal Commission’s findings but not fully accepting several others.

However, a survivor of abuse at a Catholic school has called the response “heart-breaking and appalling”, and said it was littered with “rhetoric and deflection”.

Among the Royal Commission of Inquiry’s findings that church leaders accepted were:

• that serious sexual and physical harm occurred in Catholic settings;
• that the church was too slow to act when sexual abuse was occurring;
• that complaints of neglect and abuse were dealt with inadequately;
• that harm to children could have been prevented;
• that students were put at risk when abusers were appointed to schools.

The Royal Commission made several findings relating to abuse at Marylands School and Hebron Trust, including that abuse was extensive and extreme, and sexual abuse in particular was pervasive; that the levels of physical and psychological abuse led to survivors living in constant fear; and that survivors experienced racism. The church accepted these findings.

Bishop Steve Lowe and Father Tom Rouse issued a joint statement and told survivors and their whānau they were deeply sorry, and the church must take responsibility through “concrete actions”.

“While the report chronicles a disgraceful aspect of our nation’s past, it also provides us with a roadmap – continuing the work begun before the Royal Commission and extending into our future,” the statement said.

“We have made changes, and we remain committed to continuing this work to ensure accountability and healing.”

Church leaders did not fully accept the inquiry’s finding that reports of sexual abuse were highest in Catholic institutions generally.

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