New Zealand Abuse in Care Inquiry

The Brothers of St John of God have welcomed, and co-operated with the New Zealand Abuse in Care Inquiry.

Br Timothy Graham appeared by video link to give evidence in the hearing into the abuse experienced at the Marylands school under the care of the Brothers from the 1950s to 1984.

Br Timothy offered an unreserved apology to survivors and all affected by the abuse:

I have listened with a heavy heart to the testimonies of the survivors appearing before this Royal Commission and have reflected deeply on their written statements.

On behalf of all the Brothers, I acknowledge the courage of these men and women and all those whom they represent, who have been harmed in any way by the Brothers of Saint John of God.

I and the Brothers I have heard your pain and your anger.

I would like to take this opportunity again, on behalf of all the brothers, to profoundly apologize to all who were hurt and harmed at Marylands and Hebron.

These services should have been places of nurturance and safety for vulnerable young people.

The fact that they were places of sexual, physical and psychological abuse is horrific and indefensible.

I would also like to offer a unreserved apology to your families, your significant others, to the hundreds of lay co-workers who served at Marylands and Hebron and the co-workers who have, and currently support, the work undertaken by the Haurora Trust in the areas of physical disability, the support of young people, families and Maori and Pacific Islanders and to the wider church and people of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The closing statement on behalf of the Church can be accessed here:    https://www.abuseincare.org.nz/our-progress/library/v/381/closing-statement-of-sally-mckechnie-for-marylands-school-public-hearing