Man tells of ‘rape’ by priest
SORRY: CHURCH APOLOGISES TWICE AFTER CLERGYMAN IS WITHDRAWN FROM MINISTRY
Lawyer not hopeful alleged abuser will be extradited from UK to face charges.
Frustration at nearly 30 years of inaction by the Society of Jesus in response to allegations of sexual abuse and rape against a clergyman nearly led to a hunger strike on the steps of the Christ the King Cathedral in Johannesburg.
Yesterday, an emotional Masedi William Segodisho told the story of how, in 1985 as a 10-year-old activist against apartheid, he ran away from police in Polokwane and met a Catholic priest.
“I’ve kept silence for almost three decades, but I’m not getting any younger,” Segodisho said.
“Life is unpredictable and I would hate to take this to the grave. I’ve made a decision to come out into the open and tell a very sordid story of what happened to me.”
While at Streetwise Children’s Shelter opposite the women’s jail, Segodisho said the priest took him under his wing, feeding and clothing him in a process known today as grooming. A few years later, on holiday in Amanzimtoti, the priest raped him .
According to Segodisho, another priest – who has since died – noticed what was going on and also began to abuse him.
Ironically, it was that priest who helped Segodisho after he complained to him, and the priest who first took him under his wing was transferred to England in 1989.
Fast-forward to yesterday, and Segodisho has divorced once already, has two children and is leading a semi-functional life. And he still hates the priest. Segodisho’s attorney, Ian Levitt – known for his prominent role in the Frankel 8 matter, which saw the law regarding sexual offences rewritten – said that due to the priest’s alleged frailty, he did not have high hopes for his extradition to South Africa to face criminal charges.
However, noted Levitt, a civil claim was in the process of being drawn up and would be ready in a few weeks.
The Society of Jesus has apologised in writing twice, most recently on Monday, when Father Damian Howard acknowledged the case had been reported to the church in 2001.
“[The priest] was informed of the allegations by the British Provincial and withdrawn from all active ministry.
“He has never ministered again. We have taken steps to ensure that there is no safeguarding risk to children,” Howard said.
However, there’s a large gap between when the priest was sent to England and 2001, when “the case” was reported again.
As head of a shelter, the priest had access to many children and it is believed other people who might have suffered a similar fate at the priest’s hands might now come forward.