The Teaching Council says it will investigate whether mandatory reporting obligations were met in relation to Fr Rowan Donoghue, now convicted of sexually abusing four boys at St Bede’s College in Christchurch between 1996 and 2000, with its disciplinary process examining the actions of “everyone involved”.
The move follows state media revelations that the Society of Mary was alerted to anonymous sexual allegations in 2007, removed Donoghue from public ministry, and imposed a safety plan but did not verify the claims or notify police at the time.
Donoghue pleaded guilty to six charges, including indecent assault and sexual violation, after police were contacted in early 2023.
With the criminal case concluded, the Teaching Council will now assess whether reporting requirements under education law were met.
A spokesperson for the Council told state media that the, “legal requirement for mandatory reporting to the New Zealand Teachers Council (now the Teaching Council) relating to the dismissal, resignation under investigation, serious misconduct, competence concerns, or specified convictions of teachers was first inserted into the Education Act 1989 by the Education Standards Act 2001 to protect the safety of children and young people in our education system.
“This process will include consideration of whether obligations have been met to report conduct or competence concerns to the council that were known at the time, and appropriate action depending on the findings.”
Do they even need to ask the question? No clearly the ball was dropped, big time.