A woman molested as a five-year-old girl by a high-profile theologian is outraged at a Catholic leader offered excuses for his abuse.
Anne Hill of Northland was preyed on from the age of five by the late Father Michael Shirres, who was revered for decades among Māori in the Far North.
She says that Rangi Davis, a representative on Te Ropu Tautoko, the church body that liases with the Royal Commission on abuse, told her Shirres was 'healing himself' by having sex with girls.
Te Ropu says Rangi Davis is "deeply sorry" the conversation has caused such distress, and has offered her profound apologies. Ms Davis has not returned RNZ's calls.
Ms Hill rejects that apology.
The two met at the Royal Commission's hearings in Auckland this month.
