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One of New Zealand’s most senior Catholics has failed in his last-ditch attempt to prevent a media company from detailing sexual abuse allegations against him.
Cardinal John Dew, a former Archbishop of Wellington who was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2015, is the subject of a Newshub story accusing him of sexual abuse.
Dew sought an injunction against Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand to prevent Newshub’s story, which was broadcast this evening.
He first sought the injunction in the High Court but failed. He appealed to the Court of Appeal, again failing, and then took his case to the Supreme Court.
Newshub reports that former National MP and Attorney-General Chris Finlayson KC acted on behalf of two nuns who joined the legal action to block the story.
Today, the Supreme Court dismissed Dew’s appeal.
The judgment says Newshub’s story detailed allegations from Steven and Linda Carvell.
They were aged 7 and 8 in November 1977 when the alleged conduct is said to have occurred at St Joseph’s Orphanage in Upper Hutt.
Cardinal John Dew strenuously denies the allegations. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Dew says the allegation is false and “may come from a well of anguish and grief arising from other reasons”.
“I stated immediately, and state again now, that there have never been any instances of improper or abusive behaviour in my 48 years of priesthood.”
In a statement to NZME, police said they investigated the allegations but there was insufficient evidence to lay charges.
“After conducting extensive inquiries into the case, including speaking to a number of potential witnesses, police have exhausted all available lines of inquiry into the case.
“Evidence is often harder to locate or no longer exists as potential witnesses and suspects may pass away, and physical evidence may no longer be available.”
“As such, the case has now been closed; however, police will always consider new information that may come to light in relation to an investigation.”
Dew said the allegation was raised a day after he retired in May last year.
He said the allegation was made to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse, the church’s professional standards office and police.
“I followed church protocols, and stepped aside from any ministry while the police were investigating this. Thirty weeks later I was interviewed by the New Zealand Police in the presence of my lawyer.”
Cardinal John Dew made an apology to survivors of abuse on behalf of the bishops and congregational leaders in New Zealand.
In a letter sent to every Catholic diocese and parish in the country, current Archbishop of Wellington Paul Martin said Dew stood aside from all public church activities when the allegation of abuse was made.
“Cardinal John has asserted his innocence throughout,” Martin wrote.
“Now that the police investigation has concluded, Cardinal John continues to stand aside while church inquiries proceed.”
Who is John Dew?
Born in Waipawa, Dew went on to study for the priesthood in Christchurch.
He was ordained as a priest in 1976 and appointed an assistant priest at St Joseph’s Parish in Upper Hutt between 1976 and 1979, where the abuse is said to have occurred.
He was later appointed a bishop of the Wellington Archdiocese in 1995. Wellington’s Sacred Heart Cathedral was too small for the expected congregation, so he was consecrated bishop in an at-capacity Wellington Town Hall.
Dew said people should have been able to trust the church and those who abused them. He acknowledged that instead “we caused you pain, hurt and trauma and this continues to impact you”.
“Any kind of abuse is unacceptable and indefensible. We are deeply sorry.”
In May last year, on Dew’s 75th birthday, Pope Francis accepted his resignation as Archbishop of Wellington.
He was previously the president of the New Zealand Catholic Bishop’s Conference.
Cardinal John Dew’s full statement
“My retirement as Archbishop of Wellington was announced on 5th May last year. On Saturday 6th May, I was informed that an allegation of sexual abuse had been made against me which dated back 46 years to when I was an assistant priest in Upper Hutt.
“I stated immediately, and state again now, that there have never been any instances of improper or abusive behaviour in my 48 years of priesthood.
“I learned that the complaint made against me had been submitted to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse, the church’s National Office for Professional Standards and the police. I followed church protocols and stepped aside from any ministry while the police were investigating this. Thirty weeks later, I was interviewed by the New Zealand Police in the presence of my lawyer.
“From the moment I was told of this alleged behaviour I have strenuously denied that the events described ever happened.
“This has now been thoroughly investigated by the New Zealand Police, others have been interviewed and sworn affidavits provided to the police prove that these allegations could never have happened.
“The police have informed me that this investigation has now been concluded, their file has been closed and no charges will be laid against me.
“From the time that I became a bishop, I have lived by my Episcopal motto, ‘Peace through integrity’. Integrity has always meant a great deal to me and the words of that motto have guided my life.
“I do not know the person making the allegations and have never met him. The allegation against me is false, it may come from a well of anguish and grief arising from other reasons.
“I am acutely aware of how distressing this is for many; survivors who have put their trust in me, our church community and my family and friends.
“I state once again that all incidents of abuse are wrong. I hope and pray that all abuse victims will find peace and healing. I restate that these alleged events never happened. I have nothing further to add.”
Ethan Griffiths covers crime and justice stories nationwide for Open Justice. He joined NZME in 2020, previously working as a regional reporter in Whanganui and South Taranaki.
