NEW ZEALAND
NZ Herald
February 6, 2018
By Kurt Bayer
A New Zealand priest has been defrocked after allegations of “non-consensual sexual conduct” with a female parishioner more than a decade ago.
Michael Van Wijk, former reverend of the Nativity Anglican Church in Blenheim, has had his ordination revoked following the 2005 sexual misconduct allegations.
The local church announced the move to its parishioners last month.
It came after the Anglican Church’s appeal tribunal decision was released in October last year which found that Van Wijk “knowingly engaged in sexual conduct with the complainant when she did not truly consent”.
“In doing so he engaged in misconduct by acting in a manner inappropriate or unbecoming to the office and work of a minister including, an act of corruption or immorality; and an act of sexual harassment or disregard for responsible personal relations,” the tribunal concluded.
The allegations were initially investigated by police in 2005 but no charges were laid.
The woman again complained to the church in 2016 and a tribunal was convened.
A decision to depose Van Wijk was made in December 2016 but it was appealed and eventually upheld.
Now, police have confirmed to The Marlborough Express newspaper that the investigation is now being independently reviewed.
Senior Sergeant Ciaran Sloan was unavailable to comment today.
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