Outcome of Vatican exorcism probe may not be enough, experts say

Wednesday, 17 July 2024

A religion expert is concerned that asking leaders of a contentious Catholic order to leave Canterbury is tantamount to sweeping allegations of abuse and unauthorised exorcisms “under the carpet”.

Another expert says it’s possible the group may refuse to go, as its dedicated community may see the outcome of a Vatican investigation as proof of persecution.

Over the weekend, leaders of the Sons of The Most Holy Redeemer - a traditionalist Catholic group - were stripped of their authority and asked to leave the Christchurch diocese.

The church won’t say what the findings of the investigation are, but in a statement, Bishop Michael Gielen said the move was for the good of the church and its people.

However, Christopher Longhurst, a theologian and survivors’ advocate, says just because the group’s priests no longer have authority to practice, it doesn’t mean they will stop.

It is possible - though unlikely, he and another religion expert says - another New Zealand diocese will take them in, or they could go overseas.

Longhurst was concerned alleged abusers were being left to slide “under the radar”, and the church was potentially endangering vulnerable people in another diocese.

“It’s an indirect way of just sweeping it under the carpet,” he said.

It is also possible they will continue to practice (albeit illicitly), as they have a dedicated community used to more than nine masses and confessions each week, but are now only being offered one Latin mass a week.

Peter Lineham, a religion expert and emeritus professor at Massey University, said traditionalist Catholics, like those involved with the Sons’ group, are very committed to their leaders.

He said traditionalist teachings “reflect a world where the priest has enormous influence over parishioners”.

Prior to 2008, the group (under a different name), which is connected to a group in Scotland and the United States, operated outside of the Catholic Church. A schism (or breakaway from the church) was not out of the question, he said.

Lineham questioned why the group was ever allowed to join the Christchurch diocese, and said “outrageous” practices, like alleged exorcisms on children, should not have happened. Abuse allegations were made years ago.

“There should have been intervention … [the church] should have stepped in immediately.”

He said the Vatican’s recommendations may just reinforce a belief in the group’s followers that they were being persecuted.

In a statement from group members, the church’s actions were described as “a direct attack” on the community. They said the bishop’s offer of one Latin mass a week was patronising and “grossly inadequate”.

“We the Faithful have engaged with lawyers and will pursue these cases in lengthy civil and canonical court cases until we are satisfied with the resolution,” the statement said.

They believed there was “a destructive agenda” in the church to reduce the number of traditionalist orders, and claimed there were no “discernible findings” regarding the abuse and exorcism allegations, which parishioners did not believe.

The church would not release the findings of the investigation, but nor has the group.

The order would keep its property, including a premise in Christchurch and a monastery in South Canterbury. Lineham said the group’s ability to raise funds for its own properties suggested it had significant support.

Longhurst, the leader of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said one survivor of the group told him she was never contacted by the Vatican’s investigator, or told what the outcome was, despite reporting abuse to the bishop earlier this year.

He believed the church was breaking its own commitment to confront abuse with openness and transparency.