St Bede’s College in Christchurch has begun an internal investigation after learning it may have been informed nearly 20 years ago about sexual abuse allegations involving priest Rowan Donoghue, who has since pleaded guilty to multiple sexual offending charges relating to four boarding students between 1996 and 2000 and is awaiting sentencing.
In a letter to state media, the school’s rector Jon McDowall said he is seeking clarity on what was known historically and how it was handled, noting records from that time are limited, and stating he would be appalled if there had been any failure to act appropriately.
Information later revealed that Donoghue admitted abuse to leaders of the Society of Mary in 2007, after which he was removed from ministry and sent to Australia for assessment and therapy, though police were not notified at that time.
The Society says it encouraged the complainant to go to police and apologised to victims, while police, the Teaching Council, and the school are now examining past actions and compliance with reporting obligations as part of ongoing investigations and disciplinary processes.
