Sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic diocese of Christchurch

The sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic diocese of Christchurch is an important chapter in the series of clerical abuse affairs in New Zealand.

Abuse in Maryland's school
Maryland's School, operated by the Roman Catholic Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God in Christchurch, was the centre of a number of sex abuse cases. By 2006, the Australasian branch of the St John of God order had paid out $5.1 million to survivors who had been sexually abused at the school. A nonprofit trust, the Survivors of Sex Abuse Trust, worked with many of the victims. Staff at the school were involved in 121 sex abuse allegations with about eighty former students. Many of the offences were committed in the 1970s.

Bernard McGrath affair
In 2006 Bernard McGrath, a former Roman Catholic Brother, was convicted on 21 charges of sex abuse while working as a teacher and dormitory master at Marylands School during the 1970s. He was acquitted of a further 32 charges. The abuse happened when he worked there in the 1970s.

Roger Maloney affair
In 2008 Roger Maloney, who also worked at Marylands School, was found guilty of seven sex abuse charges and was acquitted of a further 16. After being extradited from Australia, he was jailed for three years for committing sex offences.

Raymond Garchow affair
Raymond Garchow, also extradited from Australia, faced eight charges of assaulting boys at the school. A stay of proceedings was made due to the ill health of Garchow and one of the two complainants.