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  Victim Says Abuse Still Happening Within Catholic Church

Radio New Zealand
April 8, 2010

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2010/04/08/1247fdaeaa16

A man who was sexually abused by a Catholic priest 28 years ago, believes there is still abuse happening within the Church but it is being covered up.

Terry Carter, 43, was abused by former priest Alan Woodcock, who has been sentenced to prison for seven years for 21 charges related to sexual offending between 1978 and 1987.

Mr Carter says he first complained to the church because there was a process in place, but went to the police after months of trying to get his complaint lodged with the church.

He says it's about time an independent inquiry was held into the church because he believes it is protecting paedophile priests by moving them from spot to spot.

Five complaints investigated

The Catholic Church in New Zealand is investigating five complaints of child abuse lodged last year, which occurred between 20 and 75 years ago.

Under a more proactive approach to complaints of abuse, former Police Commissioner John Jamieson now investigates complaints from the outset to ensure they are handled appropriately and the complainant is satisfied.

He used to review cases only when a complainant was unhappy.

Mr Jamieson says the frequency of complaints has dropped in recent years, unlike in Europe and the United States where cases of abuse and cover-ups have surfaced almost daily, in recent weeks.

He told Morning Report the five complainants do not want to take their cases to the police and have provided the church with information confidentially.

Mr Jamieson said the church will help people go to police, but it was not its role to take matters to the authorities without the permission of the complainants.

 
 

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