Woman who alleged rape by priest offered $50,000

A woman who alleges a priest raped her during a house blessing has been offered a $50,000 payment from the Catholic Bishop who administers to the Hamilton region.

Cathy* has also been offered $1000 for “massage therapy”.

But after a frustrating wait for action from the Church and “a difficult time” with fellow parishioners including claims of verbal abuse and bullying, she wants justice.

Yet she remains in the dark – it’s unclear whether the accused priest is still in the country and police would not comment on the status of any investigation that may be under way.

Cathy told Stuff that the priest sexually assaulted her in 2009 when he performed a blessing at her house. She said she informed the Church that year and has found little support from Bishop Steve Lowe, who is now the Bishop of Auckland but is also Apostolic Administrator of Hamilton, until the Pope appoints a new bishop for the Hamilton diocese.

Stuff has seen a letter from Lowe to Cathy’s lawyer, in which he makes the $50,000 offer - and the $1000 offer for “massage therapy”.

In that letter, dated October 6, 2023, Lowe said the priest “has been sanctioned by the Church using all avenues open to me”.

The letter also makes reference to “survivors”, and respite care that could be made available for Cathy’s father at the man’s trial, “should that happen”.

Cathy said she went to the police in 2021 – her mother was initially reluctant for her to come forward – out of frustration at the Church. “It’s really poor of the Church to leave it this long,” she said.

“I kept asking, asking, what’s happening?” “I feel really angry. I didn’t expect it to be like that.”

Cathy said she has been treated well by the police, who she spoke to last week, but she again expressed frustration that no charges have been laid.

“It’s been quite stressful.”

SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, national leader Christopher Longhurst said the offer of $50,000 should have been made to Cathy by Lowe and it was only forthcoming once he inquired about it.

“$50,000 for being raped by a priest is nothing,” he said.

Cathy was annoyed the Church didn’t offer it to her personally.

“It was like he was hiding it from me.” Longhurst, who has been helping Cathy, was also critical of what he said was Lowe’s attempts to intervene in the recovery.

“SNAP strongly opposes Bishops coercing female survivors to attend male support services with whom the Bishops have pre-arranged agreements, and not providing an alternative,” he said.

The identity of the priest is known to Stuff, but he cannot be named to preserve fair trial rights – should the matter come to trial.

Cathy also said she understands further complaints have been made about the priest, and that she knows another woman who has alleged abuse at his hands but who remains reluctant to come forward.

She believed the priest had left the country, but was now back in New Zealand.

Stuff requested an interview with Lowe, which was declined as his executive assistant said he was “away in conference”.

Written questions were requested. Stuff asked if Lowe knew the whereabouts of the man, whether he tried to steer her away from SNAP support and whether the $50,000 payment was an admission she had been assaulted.

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