Anglican Church: Response to Herald’s article on Bailey Kurariki

By Anne / 25 May 2008

Letter to the Editor of the Herald on Sunday

From the two New Zealand-based leaders of the Anglican Church, Archbishops Brown Turei and David Moxon, and the Anglican Church’s Social Justice Commissioner, The Rev Dr Anthony Dancer.

We want to register our concern at last Sunday’s story ‘Paroled killer’s lavish new life’.

That sensational headline doesn’t, in our view, disguise the fact that this was a thin story (Home-delivered pizza? Sneakers for a birthday present?) .

The State has determined that after having served a lengthy period in detention, the time has come for Bailey Kurariki to begin the long and delicate process of reintegration into society.

It’s in every New Zealander’s interest that he is properly rehabilitated – and that process is made doubly difficult if it has to be conducted in the harsh glare of a media spotlight.

We understand that many Christians have reached out to Bailey Kurariki during his time in prison – and continue to do so.

Prison Fellowship is perhaps the most notable of these Christian groups – and it has the respect and endorsement of many Anglicans, including our prison chaplains, who are interested in the work of restorative justice for both victim and offender.

Prison Fellowship is a Christian ministry, born as a response to Jesus’ command that his followers should visit those in prison.

Further, we believe that Christian conversion does bring saving grace, and it does bring redemption and transformed lives – which is the best, and perhaps only hope for many of those in prison.

Bailey Kurariki is paying, in full, for his crime. But there is no doubt in our mind that New Zealand will be better off if he is ransomed, healed and restored.

Yours sincerely,
BT
DM
AD
Prison Fellowship: Kurariki Media Exposure Criticised

Herald on Sunday: Paroled killer’s lavish new life