The man accused of sexual offending while on staff at Christchurch’s St Bede’s College over two decades ago can be named.
Father Rowan Maxwell Donoghue, 68, has been named as the former staff member facing 11 charges including indecent assault on a boy between 12 and 16 and three charges of indecent assault on a man/boy over 16.
Police said the alleged offending happened between 1996 and 2000, when Donoghue worked at St Bede’s College in Papanui.
In October 2024, police filed charges relating to offending against three individuals who boarded at St Bede’s College in Christchurch approximately two decades ago.
Further charges were later filed.
Donoghue has pleaded not guilty.
In a statement, Canterbury Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons acknowledged the lifting of Donoghue’s name suppression today and urged anyone with information that could be relevant to the investigation to come forward.
“Mr Donoghue held a number of positions of responsibility involving young people for many years, including prior to the years in which the alleged offending took place.
Simmons said police understood that incidents of this kind were “traumatic and can be difficult to discuss with anyone, including police”.
“We wish to offer reassurance that you will be treated with dignity and respect, we have detectives dedicated to this case and we will ensure you have a safe space to report offending in confidence,” Simmons said.
Information could be reported at any police station, or online using the 105 service.
“Additionally, we want to ensure that anyone who has suffered and is not in a position to speak with us to know there is help and support available.”
