Witnesses for faith-based institutions will continue giving evidence before the Abuse in Care of Inquiry today on their processes for resolving historic and current abuse claims.

The faith-based institution witnesses - which include representatives from the highest levels within New Zealand’s Salvation Army, and Anglican and Catholic Churches - will be responding to survivors’ evidence and outlining past and current Redress policies and processes. 

Today’s witnesses are outlined below.

Tuesday 23 March

9.00am

Reverend Dr. Thomas P. Doyle via AVL from the United States

Dr Doyle is an ordained Catholic priest, canon lawyer and addictions therapist. Since 1982, he has been involved in the issue of clergy sexual abuse, beginning with his work as the staff canon lawyer at the Vatican Embassy in Washington D.C. His involvement includes: pastoral care of victims and their families, canonical defence advocate for accused clerics, consultant to dioceses and religious communities and as an expert witness and consultant in civil and criminal cases throughout the United States and other countries. In 2006, he co-authored the book Sex, Priests and Secret Codes: The Catholic Church's 2,000-Year Paper Trail of Sexual Abuse. He served as a consultant and expert in several of the investigatory commissions in Ireland and, in 2017, as an expert witness before the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.  

Dr Doyle’s Submission firstly sets out the scope and recent history of clergy sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, how canon law applies and how the Catholic Church has responded.  He sets this in context by explaining the governance and structure of the Catholic Church and the nature of Catholic priesthood. The second part of Dr Doyle’s Submission explores how the Catholic Church’s institutional system enables abuse. He also describes the ‘trauma bond’ and spiritual damage experienced by survivors of Catholic clergy abuse. Dr Doyle’s Submission ends with an analysis of why the Catholic Church has failed to adequately respond to the issue of clergy sexual abuse.     

2:30pm (approx.)

Br Peter Horide                

Br Horide is a religious brother in the Marist Brothers. He has been the Professional Standards Delegate for the Marist Brothers since 2018 and is responsible for responding to complaints of abuse made to the Marist Brothers and engaging in any redress processes. Brother Horide’s evidence concerns the history and status of the Marist Brothers in New Zealand, and how the Marist Brothers have responded to complaints of abuse.     

Hearing location: Level 2, 414 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland 1023 (entrance from Kingdon st).The hearing is being live-streamed here.

Media enquiries: 027 298 2094; media@abuseincare.org.nz

About the Abuse in Care Inquiry

The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry is investigating the abuse and neglect that happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults in care from 1950 and 1999. It will also consider experiences of abuse or neglect before outside these dates. After completing its investigations, it will make recommendations to the Governor General on how New Zealand can better care for children, young people and vulnerable adults.