St Bede's College maintaining 'obstructive position' on historical sexual abuse investigation - Chief Victims advisor

St Bede's College is refusing to release information about an independent investigation into historical sexual abuse at the school citing "legal professional privilege".

Chief Victims Advisor Ruth Money says it's "beyond disappointing that St Bede's maintains its obstructive position".

RNZ earlier revealed that former priest Rowan Donoghue had admitted sexually abusing four boys at the school between 1996 and 2000.

• Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz

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.

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 on the case, 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.

RNZ asked for a copy of the school's internal investigation under the Official Information Act (OIA).

Then, on 9 June, RNZ asked for further information about the external investigation including whether a terms of reference had been decided on, if so what they were, and if an investigator had been chosen.

On Friday morning McDowall emailed RNZ to say both requests had been considered under the OIA.

"I can confirm that the college declines your request ... on the basis that it is necessary that the information is withheld to protect legal professional privilege."

Money told RNZ on Friday it was "beyond disappointing that St Bede's maintains its obstructive position".

"Best practice is an open and transparent process that victim survivors and the community can have faith in.

"I remain concerned about this process and the impact of systemic abuse continually buried in the shadows by institutions who have power over young people and their whānau."

Money said terms of reference and updates regarding this "important process is not legally privileged information".

The independent investigation

McDowall earlier wrote to the school community saying the school had decided to commission an independent investigation.

McDowall began his letter by acknowledging Donoghue's sentencing.

"The courage of the victims in coming forward, and in standing before the court to share their stories, was profound. To hear what they have carried, in their own words, was deeply distressing. I am truly sorry that this happened, and that victims and survivors continue to live with the impact of that harm."

He said that since the matters had come to light the college had worked "carefully and responsibly" to understand the historical record and to support those who had been impacted.

"As the next stage of our response, it is appropriate for an external investigation to ensure these matters are examined independently and with the rigour they deserve.

"The Board of Proprietors and the Board of Trustees have therefore collectively commissioned an external, independent investigation to ascertain whether the college had appropriate systems in place for identifying and addressing abuse, and whether those systems were followed."

McDowall said they were in the final stages of determining the terms of reference and engaging the appropriate independent expertise to undertake the work.

"While this process is under way, it is not appropriate for the college to make any further comment.

"The college today operates with clear safeguarding expectations, strong oversight, and a culture where student wellbeing comes first. Abuse has no place at St Bede's - past, present or future."

Money earlier told RNZ there needed to be an independent investigation into historical allegations of sexual abuse at the school.

"What concerns me the most is the fact that people do not take this issue seriously, and they continue to think that they can investigate themselves.

"There should be a specialist investigation with safeguarding principles applied, not me marking my own homework."

She said the school had "lost the trust and confidence of the community and certainly the victims and survivors".

"There should be sexual violence experts involved to help the community through it, as well as the school through it.

"For me, as the Chief Victim Advisor to the government, I see this time and time again in education, and this is what I am worried about at a system level.

"Sexual violence is an epidemic, and we need to do whatever we can to prevent it as a community, and that's my concern … certainly best practice is that an expert is involved. It is independently investigated, but also support for the survivors, for the ex pupils and current pupils, for the school community, that needs to be done by experts, and that is not the school's job."

Money told RNZ after the independent investigation was announced that she welcomed the "change of heart and confirmation that we will have an external expert performing the review".

"I want to acknowledge the survivors and encourage them to engage with support services, police and the experts to get the support that they need during this period."

Money said she was happy to assist with the terms of reference and transparency to "ensure the community is safe and informed".

Where to get help:

Sexual Violence

• NZ Police.
• Victim Support 0800 842 846.
• Rape Crisis: 0800 88 33 00.
• Rape Prevention Education.
• Empowerment Trust.
• HELP (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): 04 801 6655.
• Safe to talk: 0800 044 334.
• Tautoko Tāne Male Survivors Aotearoa.

• Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) 022 344 0496.

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