New Zealand clergy face being interviewed by Australian
police as part of a Royal Commission investigating how
institutions including churches allegedly covered up claims
of child sex abuse, a victims right advocate says.
Radio New Zealand reported today that a group that
investigates church-related sexual abuse says clergy in New
Zealand are among those Australian police want to interview.
The Australian Government announced this week it would set up
a Royal Commission to investigate how institutions including
schools, foster homes and churches have handled accusations
of abuse.
The Catholic church in New Zealand had said its officials
would investigate the handling of a paedophile priest who
came to Hamilton from Australia 30 years ago, Radio New
Zealand reported.
John McNally of Australian support group Broken Rites, told
the radio station that the case being reviewed by the church
was only "the tip of the iceberg".
He said police wanted to talk to members of the Catholic
order St John of God.
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