Sexual abuse survivor hopes to meet the Pope

Darryl Smith (left) says the financial support from Dunedin Bishop Michael Dooley to attend the Vatican gathering was "amazing". Photo / Peter McIntosh

A Dunedin survivor of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church is heading to the Vatican in the hope of meeting the Pope and telling his story, helped by the Catholic Bishop of Dunedin.

Darryl Smith told the Otago Daily Times yesterday he would fly to Rome in February to spend six days at the Vatican, coinciding with a gathering of the leaders of bishops' conferences from around the world.

The gathering had been called by Pope Francis to discuss the international sexual abuse crisis engulfing the Church, and would run from February 21-24 next year.

Cardinal John Dew, of Wellington, would be New Zealand's official representative at the gathering, but Smith would also be there, joining other survivors from around the world at the Vatican.

Smith said his trip had been partly funded by Dunedin Bishop Michael Dooley, who had offered "several thousand" dollars towards his costs.

The offer of financial support was "amazing", he said.

"To me, it's a win-win. I've never had that in my life."

Dooley said yesterday his contribution was "personal support" and did not come from diocesan funds.

The offer came after a series of meetings between the pair, and because it was "the right thing to do", he said.

Pope Francis had encouraged bishops to prepare for next year's gathering by talking to survivors, and it was important for people like Smith to attend as well, Dooley believed.

"With things like that, you need the survivors there. They're the ones who are the important people to listen to."

Smith was sexually abused in New Zealand and Australia while in the care of the Catholic order, the Brothers Hospitallers of St John of God, beginning in the late 1970s.

He had already written to the Pontiff's Office seeking an audience with Pope Francis, either individually or with a group.

Dooley was also preparing a letter of support for Smith, and believed an audience with the Pope was a possibility.

"I would not be surprised if there's some sort of opportunity — the Pope is keen to listen to survivors, and if that was the case then I would certainly support Darryl in asking."