Push for church inclusion in probe

The Anglican and Catholic churches of New Zealand are making a last push to have those abused in faith-based institutions included in the scope of the Government’s Royal Commission of Inquiry into State Abuse.

But Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the primary purpose of the inquiry was to hold the state to account, and there was a risk of ‘‘diluting’’ that responsibility if non-state institutions were included.

Last month, Children’s Minister Tracey Martin and Ardern announced the draft terms of reference, and scope, of the inquiry.

The royal commission will cover abuses committed from 1950 to the end of 1999.

However, the draft terms of reference only cover those who suffered during their time in the care of the state. It does not cover those who suffered at the hands of a church, or faith-based institution.

The heads of the Catholic and Anglican churches have met with the commission head, Sir Anand Satyanand, asking him to include the churches. Yesterday, representatives from the Catholic Church wrote to Ardern and Martin.

Meanwhile, Anglican Archbishop Philip Richardson was also calling for a meeting with Martin.

While survivors who suffered in faith-based care are allowed to share their stories with the commission of inquiry, under the current terms of reference, the Government has no power to hold any church to account.

Those who were willing to share traumatic recounts of abuse, and be open to scrutiny, as part of a formal inquiry, would want to know their account was taken seriously, and had the ability to bring about future change.

‘‘Without those things, I would imagine, it would feel pretty hollow,’’ Richardson said.

Yesterday, Ardern said she believed the primary function of the inquiry was to hold the state to account, and that view hadn’t changed.

However, she would read and respond to the letter from the Catholic Church.

‘‘I’ve always had concerns about the impact of broadening the inquiry and diluting the responsibility that we need to take for those that were harmed in state care. I still hold that view.’’

Richardson said accountability of all institutions was a key element to the inquiry.

It had the potential to re-shape attitudes and put in place better systems, but only if the Government had the power to act on what it heard from survivors. ‘‘If we were able to do it once, and get it right once, I think everyone would have greater confidence.’’

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops and representation from Catholic religious voiced their support for the inquiry in writing and sought inclusion of religious institutions.