Learning that a priest accused of sexually abusing boys in
his care has died will reopen lasting emotional wounds for
his alleged victims, a sexual abuse counsellor says.
"It will retraumatise them, that's for sure ... They have
been on a horrendous journey," Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Trust manager Ken Clearwater, of Christchurch, says.
Dunedin-born Fr Raymond John Garchow (64), who had lived in
Australia for many years, died in Sydney this month.
He was one of five Catholic brothers or priests accused of
sexually abusing boys at the St John of God Order's Marylands
school at Halswell, on the outskirts of Christchurch.
The school was a live-in facility for intellectually and
physically disabled boys, as well as those with behavioural
problems.
Fr Garchow was a dormitory supervisor at the school before he
was ordained as a priest in 1987.
He faced eight charges involving boys under the age of 16
following alleged incidents between 1969 and 1980.
In 2005, the New Zealand authorities ordered Fr Garchow and
Br Rodger Moloney, who was wanted on associated charges, to
be extradited from Australia to appear in court in this
country.
The men won an appeal against extradition but the New Zealand
authorities successfully appealed that decision.
However, in July 2008, Fr Garchow was given his freedom after
an application for a permanent stay of proceedings was
granted because of his ill health, and the ill health of two
of the complainants.
Br Moloney and former priest Bernard Kevin McGrath were
convicted of a total of 28 charges.
Two other brothers were considered too elderly to be
extradited from Australia and never faced charges.
Mr Clearwater said the complainants, one of whom lives in
Mataura, would have mixed reactions to news of Fr Garchow's
death.
"Some will be happy he is dead, but in reality there is still
unfinished business for them. Because of the stay of
proceedings, justice hasn't been done and they can't get on
with their healing. Fr Garchow is neither innocent nor
guilty."
The complainants had been "sickened" by the stay of
proceedings, he said.
"This will revive feelings for them, and for all the other
boys who were at the school."
allison.rudd@odt.co.nz
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