Former Nun Speaks out on Church Abuse Claims

By Lisa Whitehead
ABC News
December 6, 2012

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-06/former-nun-speaks-out-on-church-abuse-claims/4413922?section=nsw

[with video]

For 40 years many boys placed in institutions run by the order of St John of God were molested, raped and physically assaulted by some of the men who were supposed to care for them. Now a former nun who worked for the order speaks out about what she says is a culture of collusion within its ranks.

Lisa Whitehead

Transcript

CHRIS UHLMANN, PRESENTER: Among the litany of accusations that led to the recent announcement of a Royal commission into the institutional child sex abuse, none have been more shocking than those surrounding the Catholic order St John of God. For 40 years boys placed in the order's care were molested, raped and physically assaulted. The story has hit the headlines this week with the arrest in New Zealand of a former brother accused of molesting 35 children in a home for intellectually disabled boys. Tonight a former nun who worked for the order speaks out about what she says is a culture of collusion within its ranks. In a moment I'll be joined by the head of the order, Brother Timothy Graham, but first this report by Lisa Whitehead.

LISA WHITEHEAD, REPORTER: This is former Catholic Brother Bernard McGrath. He's now facing possible extradition to Australia on 252 sex abuse charges. He's accused of abusing 35 children.

The alleged offences occurred at the Kendall Grange boys' home in Morisset, south of Newcastle. It belonged to St John of God, an order of the Church that's accused of covering up decades of allegations of abuse of vulnerable children in its care.

WAYNE CHAMLEY, BROKEN RITES: It's behaviour that's endemic within the order and it's been allowed to go on for decades.