‘We will see what you do, and we will hold you to account’

Emotions ran high at a stirring public apology by the Presbyterian Church in Dunedin at the weekend.

The public apology comes more than a year after the release of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care’s final report — a 3000-page, nine-part document which provided 138 recommendations for change.

Faith-based-abuse survivor Frances Tagaloa said survivors from all walks of life had been brought together by what happened to them.

"They tried to break us, one by one.

"But together, now, we are unbreakable."

She called the abuse in care "a national tragedy" and the "country’s shame".

Mrs Tagaloa said while she might trust the church’s intentions, many survivors would find it hard to trust the apology.

"And if you're expecting forgiveness, you need to understand that forgiveness has to be earned.

"Some survivors will never forgive — and that's their right."

She called on the church to be a champion for all survivors.

"We will watch, and we will see what you do, and we will hold you to account."

Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ) council of assembly convener Katerina Solomona said the church failed to recognise and protect the many unique and vibrant identities of the people within it.

Many survivors endured removal from their culture and languages, "alongside experiences of sexism, racism, homophobia and discrimination against disabled, neurodivergent and mentally ill people".

"My message is clear to all people that call this church home — we must stop, reflect. We must not weaponise religion any longer.

"We must change and we must do better than this."

Donna Matahaere-Atariki who, along with her family, experienced abuse in state and faith-based institutions, said she accepted the apology "with an open heart".

"The apology today and the actions that you talked about make me feel warm, because I want to see action.

"I want us to see there is nothing that you will do that is a complete failure — that is when we learn things."

PCANZ moderator the Rt Rev Rose Luxford extended the "sincere and unreserved apology" to those the church and the people in it had harmed, abused, neglected and caused pain.

"It was our responsibility to care for you.

"We failed."

The abuse occurred in places and with people where safety should have been assured, the Rt Rev Luxford said.

"Such a breach of trust is unjustifiable.

"We express profound remorse at this heartbreaking abuse.

"We are deeply and sincerely sorry."