Jacinda ArdernThe Catholic and Anglican Churches have both written to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern asking for religious institutions to be included in the Royal Commission into abuse in state care. The Prime Minister says the terms of reference for the inquiry are still being consulted on and while what churches have to say could feed into the inquiry, she stood by her belief that the inquiry should look primarily into what happened to children while in the care of the state. "I understand that churches have taken a position and certainly it is important that feeds into the discussion we're having on the terms of reference as well,'' she said yesterday. "We are of the firm view that no individual should be denied the possibility of making a submission to this government inquiry. The draft terms of the upcoming Royal Commission excludes institutions such as churches unless children were sent to them by the state.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 26, 2018 19:07 UTC