The Archbishops Statement
25th July 2024
E te whā nāu a Te Kārāiti, te nā tā tāu.
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care has released its report, which highlights abuse that occurred in Anglican communities in Aotearoa New Zealand between 1950-1999.
Please hold the survivors of abuse in your hearts and prayers – some of whom participated in the Inquiry, courageously sharing traumatic experiences for justice and change.
Archbishops Don Tamihere, Justin Duckworth and Sione Ulu’ilakepa have asked for the following statement to be shared with our Anglican communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.
“We acknowledge and take full responsibility for our failures to provide the safe, caring and nurturing environment those who have been in our care had a right to expect and to receive.”
“Our apology at the Royal Commission to survivors of abuse was heartfelt and genuine and we can only stand in awe of their courage and endurance. We owe it to survivors to ensure that this Report is a catalyst for great change.
It is crucial that the whole Church takes direction and advice on this. We know that we still have a long way to go.
We call on all who identify as Anglican; whether churches, schools or agencies to study this Report’s recommendations and to commit themselves to the principles and practices that ensure the highest standards of care.”
The Archbishops have reminded us of the safeguards we have in place to help make our church a safe space for everyone.
Survivors of historical abuse in the Anglican Church are encouraged to email: [email protected]
Anyone wishing to make a current complaint can contact the Ministry Standards Commission registrar by email on: [email protected]
The Archbishops have also shared the following prayer in response to the Royal Commission report released today.
E te whā nāu a Te Kārāiti, te nā tā tāu.
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care has released its report, which highlights abuse that occurred in Anglican communities in Aotearoa New Zealand between 1950-1999.
Please hold the survivors of abuse in your hearts and prayers – some of whom participated in the Inquiry, courageously sharing traumatic experiences for justice and change.
Archbishops Don Tamihere, Justin Duckworth and Sione Ulu’ilakepa have asked for the following statement to be shared with our Anglican communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.
“We acknowledge and take full responsibility for our failures to provide the safe, caring and nurturing environment those who have been in our care had a right to expect and to receive.”
“Our apology at the Royal Commission to survivors of abuse was heartfelt and genuine and we can only stand in awe of their courage and endurance. We owe it to survivors to ensure that this Report is a catalyst for great change.
It is crucial that the whole Church takes direction and advice on this. We know that we still have a long way to go.
We call on all who identify as Anglican; whether churches, schools or agencies to study this Report’s recommendations and to commit themselves to the principles and practices that ensure the highest standards of care.”
The Archbishops have reminded us of the safeguards we have in place to help make our church a safe space for everyone.
Survivors of historical abuse in the Anglican Church are encouraged to email: [email protected]
Anyone wishing to make a current complaint can contact the Ministry Standards Commission registrar by email on: [email protected]
The Archbishops have also shared the following prayer in response to the Royal Commission report released today.
Merciful God, we come to you in sorrow.
We would not hear, we did not believe,
Our silence condemned the innocent and the powerless.
Lord, strengthen and empower the survivors now,
and align our hearts with your justice.
God, hear our prayer.
Amen
We would not hear, we did not believe,
Our silence condemned the innocent and the powerless.
Lord, strengthen and empower the survivors now,
and align our hearts with your justice.
God, hear our prayer.
Amen
Letter from Bishop Steve Maina 15th September 2021
15 September 2021
Dear Diocesan family,
Earlier this week Stuff News published an article about actions that occurred in 2005 which led to church disciplinary proceedings against a former Assistant Priest in this parish, Michael van Wijk, and recent redress proceedings brought by Jacinda Thompson, a parishioner at Nativity who was harmed by those actions.
In 2020 the bishops made a full apology to Jacinda for the abuse she suffered and for failures in the way her complaint was originally handled. Then, as now, we pray for the ongoing healing of all who have been harmed by this conduct.
We want to do all we can to ensure that abuse never happens again. The Diocese has put in place additional structures to better protect and support vulnerable people, including improved pre-ordination processes and clergy training, mandatory supervision of all ministers and a new complaints procedure. We are committed to ongoing change in the culture of our church, to prevent harm to those in our care and to deal appropriately and sensitively with any complaints that may arise.
This involves all of us. Together we are part of the body of Christ and creating a safe space is a responsibility for us all. It takes a community response to heal wounds, nurture health and create safe places of belonging where people can meet with God and know Jesus.
It is important that we all know where to turn if we are concerned about the safety of others or ourselves. If you have experienced abuse, can I encourage you to come forward in a way that feels safe for you. The diocese has processes in place to provide support and deal with these matters. We can help guide you to the right place to get help.
We have a diocesan Code of Ethics that sets out the type of behaviour we expect from all our members. A summary can be found on this poster displayed in your church (SHOW). If you are concerned that someone is being abused physically, sexually or spiritually, or you are concerned about bullying or emotional manipulation, then please raise your concerns with your Vicar or a trusted ministry leader.
It is crucial that we are part of a national process, alongside other churches to improve processes and practices. Complaints about misconduct can now be dealt with independently of the parish or diocese through a new office of Ministry Standards. The contact details can be found on this poster, also displayed in your church (SHOW). Other information about standards and complaints processes are on the parish and diocesan websites.
May we conclude in prayer. Loving God, you are the defender of the vulnerable and give strength to those in need. May you breathe your grace and wisdom so that our churches will be places of safety and healing through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen
In Christ,
Bishop Steve Maina
Dear Diocesan family,
Earlier this week Stuff News published an article about actions that occurred in 2005 which led to church disciplinary proceedings against a former Assistant Priest in this parish, Michael van Wijk, and recent redress proceedings brought by Jacinda Thompson, a parishioner at Nativity who was harmed by those actions.
In 2020 the bishops made a full apology to Jacinda for the abuse she suffered and for failures in the way her complaint was originally handled. Then, as now, we pray for the ongoing healing of all who have been harmed by this conduct.
We want to do all we can to ensure that abuse never happens again. The Diocese has put in place additional structures to better protect and support vulnerable people, including improved pre-ordination processes and clergy training, mandatory supervision of all ministers and a new complaints procedure. We are committed to ongoing change in the culture of our church, to prevent harm to those in our care and to deal appropriately and sensitively with any complaints that may arise.
This involves all of us. Together we are part of the body of Christ and creating a safe space is a responsibility for us all. It takes a community response to heal wounds, nurture health and create safe places of belonging where people can meet with God and know Jesus.
It is important that we all know where to turn if we are concerned about the safety of others or ourselves. If you have experienced abuse, can I encourage you to come forward in a way that feels safe for you. The diocese has processes in place to provide support and deal with these matters. We can help guide you to the right place to get help.
We have a diocesan Code of Ethics that sets out the type of behaviour we expect from all our members. A summary can be found on this poster displayed in your church (SHOW). If you are concerned that someone is being abused physically, sexually or spiritually, or you are concerned about bullying or emotional manipulation, then please raise your concerns with your Vicar or a trusted ministry leader.
It is crucial that we are part of a national process, alongside other churches to improve processes and practices. Complaints about misconduct can now be dealt with independently of the parish or diocese through a new office of Ministry Standards. The contact details can be found on this poster, also displayed in your church (SHOW). Other information about standards and complaints processes are on the parish and diocesan websites.
May we conclude in prayer. Loving God, you are the defender of the vulnerable and give strength to those in need. May you breathe your grace and wisdom so that our churches will be places of safety and healing through Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen
In Christ,
Bishop Steve Maina
A statement from the former Bishop of Nelson, Derek Eaton; the former Vicar of Blenheim, Richard Ellena; and the current Bishop of Nelson, Steve Maina
This statement forms part of a settlement agreement between a parishioner of the Anglican Church and the Bishop of Nelson in respect of proceedings filed in the Human Rights Review Tribunal. The proceedings relate to historical events involving a minister working in the Nelson Diocese. The statement is made jointly by Bishop Steve Maina (the current Bishop of Nelson), retired Bishop Richard Ellena (then Vicar of the Nativity parish, Blenheim), and retired Bishop Derek Eaton (then the Bishop of Nelson).
In 2016 an Anglican Church Disciplinary Tribunal found that in 2005 Michael van Wijk engaged in misconduct by acting in a manner inappropriate or unbecoming to the office and work of a Minister, including: “(a) an act of corruption or immorality; or (b) an act of sexual harassment or disregard for responsible personal relations”. The Tribunal found that the complainant did not truly consent to sexual contact at the time it occurred. Mr van Wijk’s conduct toward the complainant was disgraceful and involved a breach of the trust placed in him and a misuse of his priestly authority. Michael Van Wijk’s ordination was revoked as a result of this process.
The office of the Bishop of Nelson accepts liability under the Human Rights Act 1993 for the sexual harassment of its parishioner by one of the Church’s ministers, Michael van Wijk, in the course of providing her with pastoral services. We accept that in his role as an ordained minister acting under the Bishop’s licence, Michael van Wijk was acting as an agent of the Bishop. We accept that the Human Rights Act 1993 applies to the pastoral services provided by Michael van Wijk, and assume responsibility for Michael van Wijk’s conduct.
We deeply regret that one cloaked in priestly authority, by misusing that authority and his ignoring priestly boundaries, has perpetrated such harm. We apologise to the parishioner of this church who suffered as a result of those actions. We are deeply sorry that we failed to protect her from this harm. We acknowledge the hurt she and her husband and children have suffered as a result and regret we did not provide her with support in the direct aftermath of the events, while providing significant support to Michael van Wijk and his family.
We were not aware of Michael van Wijk’s conduct at the time it occurred in February and March 2005, however by March 2005, we knew some of what occurred and in June 2005 we received a detailed written complaint. We regret that we failed to recognise the conduct as sexual harassment, and attempted to minimise and excuse Michael van Wijk’s behaviours, despite having received a separate complaint about his behaviour towards another parishioner. We regret that we failed to take sufficient steps to resolve the victim’s complaints by neglecting to follow our policy. We acknowledge that we should have investigated her complaint fully, informed Police when issues of consent were raised and instigated formal Church disciplinary processes. We were wrong not to fully inform the victim of these processes and to dissuade her from using them. We apologise for disclosing the complainant’s name to Church staff in circumstances where it should not have been disclosed.
We were wrong to allow Michael van Wijk to resign without any disciplinary action. Had we followed proper procedure we would have insisted upon a disciplinary process at the time, rather than simply accepting his resignation and the surrender of his licence. We were wrong to decide not to give full reasons to the congregation for Michael van Wijk’s departure. We acknowledge this led to sympathy for Michael van Wijk, and speculation about what had occurred which compounded the harm suffered by the parishioner and her family. We deeply regret that this occurred.
Over the years these failings have caused the parishioner and her family additional hurt and for that we are sincerely sorry.
Between 2016 and 2019 we defended the Human Rights Review Tribunal proceedings brought by the parishioner and did not accept liability for what occurred. We now recognise that our defence of the claim prevented reconciliation between the parishioner and the Church, and we regret the time it has taken to reach a position where we can now achieve that reconciliation. Our deepest wish is that this occur.
Our failures have caused the complainant additional hurt and prolonged her suffering over a period of many years. For this we are truly sorry. We are paying the complainant $100,000 in recognition of the gravity of humiliation and hurt she has suffered and in recognition that the way we handled her complaint was badly flawed.
We have read the parishioner’s account of events and listened to the resulting impact on her life. We have spent many hours considering what we could have done to prevent this from occurring and how we could better have dealt with the situation that arose.
As a result, the Diocese of Nelson is putting in place additional structures to better protect and support parishioners, including by bolstering and improving the vetting process for ordination candidates, the training programme for ministers, supervision of ministers, and the complaints process. We as a Diocese will do all that we can to prevent such actions from occurring again and to deal appropriately and sensitively with any complaints which may arise.
Please join us in our prayers for the ongoing healing of those concerned.
(This statement is to be kept on the Nativity Church Blenheim website until at least 19 March 2023.)
The office of the Bishop of Nelson accepts liability under the Human Rights Act 1993 for the sexual harassment of its parishioner by one of the Church’s ministers, Michael van Wijk, in the course of providing her with pastoral services. We accept that in his role as an ordained minister acting under the Bishop’s licence, Michael van Wijk was acting as an agent of the Bishop. We accept that the Human Rights Act 1993 applies to the pastoral services provided by Michael van Wijk, and assume responsibility for Michael van Wijk’s conduct.
We deeply regret that one cloaked in priestly authority, by misusing that authority and his ignoring priestly boundaries, has perpetrated such harm. We apologise to the parishioner of this church who suffered as a result of those actions. We are deeply sorry that we failed to protect her from this harm. We acknowledge the hurt she and her husband and children have suffered as a result and regret we did not provide her with support in the direct aftermath of the events, while providing significant support to Michael van Wijk and his family.
We were not aware of Michael van Wijk’s conduct at the time it occurred in February and March 2005, however by March 2005, we knew some of what occurred and in June 2005 we received a detailed written complaint. We regret that we failed to recognise the conduct as sexual harassment, and attempted to minimise and excuse Michael van Wijk’s behaviours, despite having received a separate complaint about his behaviour towards another parishioner. We regret that we failed to take sufficient steps to resolve the victim’s complaints by neglecting to follow our policy. We acknowledge that we should have investigated her complaint fully, informed Police when issues of consent were raised and instigated formal Church disciplinary processes. We were wrong not to fully inform the victim of these processes and to dissuade her from using them. We apologise for disclosing the complainant’s name to Church staff in circumstances where it should not have been disclosed.
We were wrong to allow Michael van Wijk to resign without any disciplinary action. Had we followed proper procedure we would have insisted upon a disciplinary process at the time, rather than simply accepting his resignation and the surrender of his licence. We were wrong to decide not to give full reasons to the congregation for Michael van Wijk’s departure. We acknowledge this led to sympathy for Michael van Wijk, and speculation about what had occurred which compounded the harm suffered by the parishioner and her family. We deeply regret that this occurred.
Over the years these failings have caused the parishioner and her family additional hurt and for that we are sincerely sorry.
Between 2016 and 2019 we defended the Human Rights Review Tribunal proceedings brought by the parishioner and did not accept liability for what occurred. We now recognise that our defence of the claim prevented reconciliation between the parishioner and the Church, and we regret the time it has taken to reach a position where we can now achieve that reconciliation. Our deepest wish is that this occur.
Our failures have caused the complainant additional hurt and prolonged her suffering over a period of many years. For this we are truly sorry. We are paying the complainant $100,000 in recognition of the gravity of humiliation and hurt she has suffered and in recognition that the way we handled her complaint was badly flawed.
We have read the parishioner’s account of events and listened to the resulting impact on her life. We have spent many hours considering what we could have done to prevent this from occurring and how we could better have dealt with the situation that arose.
As a result, the Diocese of Nelson is putting in place additional structures to better protect and support parishioners, including by bolstering and improving the vetting process for ordination candidates, the training programme for ministers, supervision of ministers, and the complaints process. We as a Diocese will do all that we can to prevent such actions from occurring again and to deal appropriately and sensitively with any complaints which may arise.
Please join us in our prayers for the ongoing healing of those concerned.
(This statement is to be kept on the Nativity Church Blenheim website until at least 19 March 2023.)