Anglican Deacon Suspended over Sex Claim

By Mike Barrington
Northern Advocate
May 2, 2012

http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/anglican-deacon-suspended-over-sex-claim/1365634/

FIRM: Bishop Pikaahu stands by his suspension of the Anglican Deacon

A Northland bishop has suspended an Anglican Church deacon after what the bishop says are false claims about a child sex abuser.

Deacon Tapu Laulu pulled 18 children out of a church camp after spotting a man that he had been told was a child sex abuser.

However, the man - who is known to Paihia-based Bishop of Tai Tokerau, the Rt Rev Te Kitohi Pikaahu - has never been charged or convicted of the alleged offence.

Bishop Pikaahu - has claimed the alleged sexual offending was based on a 16-year-old rumour concerning two people who were teenagers at the time.

The "false allegations" had been investigated and dismissed by the girl's family, the bishop said. However, the mother of one of the children removed from the camp is supporting Mr Laulu.

The woman, Patricia Tipene, a social worker, of Pakuranga, said she believed there was substance to the allegations and she was grateful her daughter was removed from the camp.

"Don't fire the man who protected the children," Ms Tipene said.

The Bishop is believed to be taking court action against media outlets who reported the wing of the church, working under Bishop Pikaahu.

The 26-year-old deacon said he saw a man who eight years ago a priest had told him was alleged to have sexually abused a girl.

"When I saw this man in the midst of children at the camp I became very concerned," Mr Laulu said.

After consulting his mother and two parents he took the 18 children in his care to a CYF home.

"After Easter, my lawyer advised me I had a duty to report the matter to the police," Mr Laulu said.

Police were informed and Mr Laulu authorised his lawyer to write to the Minister in charge of Child Youth and Family, Paula Bennett, asking her to investigate the matter.

Auckland police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said yesterday some enquiries had been made and the sexual abuse allegations were unsubstantiated insofar as there had been no complaint by a victim.

An Advocate request to speak to Bishop Pikaahu was referred to Anglican Church media officer Lloyd Ashton, who issued a statement from the bishop and said the sexual abuse allegations had caused distress to the families concerned.

"The families are absolutely satisfied the matter was settled 16 years ago."

Mr Ashton said a complaint had been made to the Broadcasting Standards Authority and he understood the bishop had started defamation proceedings.