Wellington priest who removed sexual abuse protest ribbons has change of heart

By Damian George
Stuff NZ
November 6, 2018

https://bit.ly/2AQ067f

Ribbons tied to the St Mary of the Angels Catholic church in Wellington by child sexual abuse survivors were taken down by the parish priest.

On Saturday parish priest Kevin Conroy allowed new ribbons to be put up following a discussion with one of the organisers of the protest.

The ribbons were put up as part of the ''Loud Fence'' movement, which is in response to child sexual abuse by institutions such as the Catholic Church.

A Wellington priest who took down ribbons tied to the gates of his church by child sexual abuse survivors has had a change of heart.

The ribbons were tied to the gates of the St Mary of the Angels Catholic church in Boulcott St on Thursday to acknowledge historic sexual abuse of children in the Wellington Diocese, particularly at St Patrick's College in Silverstream and Wellington City, and St Bernard's College in Lower Hutt.

But they were removed early on Friday by parish priest Kevin Conroy, who cited the church's policy that nothing could be placed on its grounds without permission. 

On Saturday  Conroy told the congregation he took the ribbons down because he had not realised what they were for, despite similar protests being made by sexual abuse survivors around the world.

After talking with one of the protest's organisers, who brought more ribbons to be attached to the church, Conroy agreed to let them be displayed. 

"I was following our unwritten policy at St Mary of the Angels that anything displayed or advertised within church property must receive clearance from the parish priest," Conroy said.

"However, my action caused further hurt and upset to a group who know too well the meaning of those words.

"To express a desire to build bridges and solidarity with survivors, I have offered the group the opportunity to attach some ribbons to the fence."

Conroy encouraged others to support survivors of the "heinous crimes" by tying a ribbon for them, which he did himself.

He explained he had not realised what he was doing when he removed the ribbons.

"I cut them off, realising part-way through that there were messages written on them. The messages were written by survivors of sexual abuse, and their supporters, perpetrated by priests and religious figures."

Conroy noted the incident had gained media attention.

The move angered the victims and their supporters with one victim, who did not want to be named, saying it was an attempt to silence them.

The protest was part of the "Loud Fence" movement, which originated in Melbourne late last year following a royal commission of inquiry into child sexual abuse by institutions such as the Catholic Church.

The movement spread around the world  and last month reached Dunedin, where ribbons were tied to the gates of St Joseph's Cathedral.

On that occasion  Dunedin Bishop Michael Dooley and others from the city's diocese were on hand for the event to offer their support. Ribbons there were still in place.