24 July 2024

E Ihowā, tohungia mātou,

E Te Karaiti, tohungia mātou,

E Ihowā, tohungia mātou,

Ka nui ngā mihi ki ngā mate huhua puta noa o te motu, ko te inoi kia noho pai koutou e te hunga kua whetū rangitia ki ngā ringaringa atawhai a Te Karaiti, ā ki a tātau te hunga ora Māna anō e muru i ngā roimata katoa; ā kia kore ake he mamae, otirā kia māturuturu te tōmairangi atawhai o Te Tokotoru Tapu ki a koutou.

Tēnei mātou ko ngā hepara o te Hāhi e piko nei kei te hinapōuri, ka tangi, ka māringi i ngā roimata mō te hunga mōrehu. Tēnei mātau ka mihi atu nei ki a koutou i runga i te ngākau rīpenetā. Kotahi tonu te inoi ki te Atua, kia tau mai tōna Wairua aroha ki a koutou, ā Māna anō hoki mātou ko te hunga hara e ārahi ki ngā ara o te tika.

E te whānau a Te Karaiti, tēnā tātau.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care has released its report, which highlights abuse that occurred in Anglican communities in Aotearoa New Zealand between 1950-1999.

Please hold the survivors of abuse in your hearts and prayers – some of whom participated in the Inquiry, courageously sharing traumatic experiences for justice and change.

Our Archbishops Don Tamihere, Justin Duckworth and Sione Ulu’ilakepa have asked that we share this statement from them within each of our churches across Aotearoa New Zealand.

 “We acknowledge and take full responsibility for our failures to provide the safe, caring and nurturing environment those who have been in our care had a right to expect and to receive.”

 “Our apology at the Royal Commission to survivors of abuse was heartfelt and genuine and we can only stand in awe of their courage and endurance. We owe it to survivors to ensure that this Report is a catalyst for great change.

It is crucial that the whole Church takes direction and advice on this.  We know that we still have a long way to go. 

We call on all who identify as Anglican; whether churches, schools or agencies to study this Report’s recommendations and to commit themselves to the principles and practices that ensure the highest standards of care.”

The Archbishops have also reminded us of the safeguards we have in place to help make our church a safe space for everyone.

Anyone who is a survivor of historic abuse in the Anglican Church who wish to engage with the Church about that abuse are encouraged to email: contact@anglicanredress.nz

Anyone wishing to make a current complaint can contact the Ministry Standards Commission registrar by email on: registrar@ministrystandards.org

The Archbishops have shared the following prayers.

E te Atua Atawhai, tēnei mātau e koropiko ana

ki mua i tōu aroaro i runga i te ngākau pōuri.

Nā te mea, tē taea mātau i rongo, i kite,

Nā te waha ngū ka whakakino mātau i te ngā harakore me ngā ngoikore.

E te Ariki, whakakahangia rātou ko te hunga mōrehu,

Arahina mātou ki te tika.

E te Ariki, whakarongo mai ki tā mātau inoi.

Āmine

Merciful God, we come to you in sorrow.
We would not hear, we did not believe,
Our silence condemned the innocent and the powerless.

Lord, strengthen and empower the survivors now,

and align our hearts with your justice.
God, hear our prayer.

Amen

 See also the Diocese of Dunedin Safeguarding webpage