Jail for ex-head of Catholic School

Published: 12:35PM Friday August 01, 2008 Source: ONE News/Newstalk ZB

  • Print this article
  • Text size + -

The former head of a Catholic school in Christchurch has been sent to jail for sexually abusing former pupils.

Rodger Moloney, 73, was extradited from Australia to face the charges which date back decades.

Moloney has been sentenced to two years and nine months jail for sexually abusing five boys who were all pupils under his care.

"For many years these men, or boys as they were at that time, tried to explain what happened to them at school and they were called liars, and so now people know they weren't lying," says Ken Clearwater from Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse.

One of the abuse victims read out a statement in court.

He spoke of how the abuse has led him into a life of crime. The man has 338 criminal convictions.  He says many of those were to do with acts against catholic church. He puts his criminal behaviour, down to his anger towards the church.

"The important thing for them is having their day in court, and giving their evidence, telling the truth about what happened all those years ago at Marylands" says Decetive Sergeant Earle Borrell.

Father Moloney ran the St John of God School, Marylands, 40 years ago.

In the past he has said that the school was one of a kind, saying that it looked after 100 boys of lower ability and 20 that are intellectually handicapped.

He is the second Marylands brother convicted for sexual abuse.

Two years ago Father Bernard McGrath was sentenced to five years jail for 21 historic indecency charges.

"This is an international order and have brothers in a whole range of countries.  In Australia and New Zealand I don't think they deserve to be here now because of the damage they've done," says Michelle Mulvihill a former Church psychologist.

Moloney was found not guilty last month on another 16 charges.

  • Print this article
  • Text size + -
  • more...

Latest Breakfast Video

Advertising

How do you want your news?

  • Mobile Devices

    TVNZ is available on mobile phones: Text TVNZ to 8869.

  • News Feeds

    See when TVNZ have added new content. You can get the latest headlines anywhere.

  • Podcasts

    Enjoy TVNZ on the move - a wide range of programmes and highlights are available.