CHRISTCHURCH (NEW ZEALAND)
Radio New Zealand - RNZ [Wellington, New Zealand]
November 11, 2026
By Sam Sherwood
An independent inquiry into historical sexual abuse at St Bede’s College will examine whether there were attempts to conceal or suppress any complaints of abuse.
The terms of reference – released six months after the school announced an inquiry – cover nearly 50 years of the school’s history and will examine whether it knew, or ought to have known, about complaints of sexual abuse and what action was taken in response.
RNZ earlier revealed that former priest Rowan Donoghue had admitted sexually abusing four boys at the school between 1996 and 2000.
It was then revealed Donoghue admitted sexual abuse to leaders of his religious order, the Society of Mary, in 2007. The order immediately removed Donoghue from public ministry. Donoghue was unable to identify the anonymous complainant and instead of notifying police, the order sent him to Australia for a six-month programme that provided “professional risk assessment and therapy” for people accused of sexual abuse.
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It was also revealed the school was also notified nearly 20 years ago of allegations involving him.
Another priest, former rector Fr Brian Cummings, was also accused of abuse by three different complainants in 1996, 2014 and 2023. Cummings, who died in 2022, “strenuously denied” the allegations.
Following RNZ’s reporting, the school said it was investigating what was known historically about Donoghue and how the matters were addressed. That work was being led by the current board and rector Jon McDowall.
Then, after Donoghue was jailed for seven years and eight months, the school announced it had decided to commission an independent investigation.
On Wednesday, RNZ asked McDowall for an update on the investigation, including what the terms of reference are, who the investigator is and when it’s expected to be released.
McDowall then sent the school community an update on the inquiry which he said had been scheduled for release on Wednesday.
In the letter, McDowall said: “Abuse happened in our College’s history, and it caused deep and lasting harm. I am truly sorry that this happened, and that victims and survivors continue to live with the impact of that harm.
“As I have shared previously, the Board of Proprietors and the Board of Trustees together commissioned an external inquiry. We have taken the time to get the terms of reference right, so that the inquiry can be thorough, fair and independent.”
The terms of reference includes investigating the rules, policies, procedures and systems in place at the school to prevent or respond to sexual abuse from 1977 to the present day.
The inquiry would also look at the acts and omissions of St Bede’s, its trustees, officers and staff in responding to, or addressing, complaints of sexual abuse.
This includes whether those people were aware, or ought to have been aware, of a complaint of sexual abuse at St Bede’s, and what if anything those people did in response to any complaints of sexual abuse. It would also look at whether there were any attempts to conceal or suppress knowledge or reporting of any complaints of sexual abuse.
“For the purposes of the inquiry, a complaint of sexual abuse means any complaint, report, disclosure, allegation or expression of concern made to, or otherwise coming to the attention of, St Bede’s, its trustees, officers and staff to the effect that sexual abuse may have occurred, whether or not that complaint, report, disclosure, allegation or concern is later found to be made out.”
The inquiry also includes investigating the adequacy of the systems, policies and procedures in place at the school today to prevent any future sexual abuse.
“The inquiry will not investigate or determine criminal or civil liability of any entity or any person or whether any act or omission by that entity or person complied with the law. Nor will the inquiry determine, as a question of fact, whether any particular instance of sexual abuse occurred.”
The terms of reference also said the school had received complaints from former students that they were sexually abused by clergy, staff and/or students while at the school.
McDowall said the inquiry is being led by Janna McGuigan, a senior barrister in Christchurch with “experience in conducting sensitive inquiries”.
“She will be assisted by an inquiry team, including Bridie McKinnon from the law firm Buddle Findlay. The inquiry is independent of St Bede’s, the Board of Proprietors, the Board of Trustees and the Society of Mary.”
He said the school was “committed to understanding what it knew, and what it did, about complaints of sexual abuse”.
“We do this first and foremost for the survivors, who deserve to have these matters examined honestly and independently, and also for our wider community. Our boys today, and those who come after them, deserve a College that learns from its past.
“As a Catholic Marist school, care for each person is at the heart of who we are, and facing these matters openly is part of living that out.”
McDowall said the inquiry would keep the identities of participants confidential as well as all interview notes and any written material they receive from participants.
“Ms McGuigan’s report will not identify participants, except on an anonymised basis, without the participant’s consent.”
The school would not be making any further comment while the inquiry is underway.
The inquiry begins on Wednesday, with the aim of providing a report by May 2027.
A summary of the inquiry’s findings and recommendations will be publicly released subject to any privacy and legal limitations.
McDowall said the school today operated with “clear safeguarding expectations, strong oversight, and a culture where student wellbeing comes first”.
“I reiterate, abuse has no place at St Bede’s, past, present or future.”