Paedophile Priest Who Served in Hamilton and Dunedin Defrocked by Catholic Church

Stuff.co.nz
May 23, 2019

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/112937678/paedophile-priest-who-served-in-hamilton-and-dunedin-defrocked-by-catholic-church

A Catholic priest has been defrocked of his title over historical sexual offending against boys.

The Bishop of Hamilton Steve Lowe said in a statement Magnus Murray has been removed from the priesthood after the conclusion of a formal church judicial process.

Murray, known as Max, was convicted in 2003 on four historic charges of sexual offending against four boys.

He previously served as a Catholic priest of the Dioceses of Dunedin and Hamilton, and was withdrawn from ministry when he retired in 1990.

That process, which began in February 2018, was a complicated process because of Murray's age and health.

"Sadly, his removal from the priesthood does not take away any of the harm that Max Murray's criminal abuse inflicted on those he offended against. I hope this action may bring some sense of justice being done to those who have been abused," Lowe said.

The Catholic Church in New Zealand was committed to acting with justice for those who have suffered abuse, he said. The defrocking was another signal that sexual abuse has no place in the church.

The ODT reported Murray, who has dementia, had been living in the Catholic run Mercy Parklands in Ellerslie, Auckland.

Lowe urged anyone who had experienced sexual abuse by a priest or religious to contact the church's National Office of Professional Standards on 0800 114 622 or email prof.standards@nzcbc.org.nz.