Church denies sex case cover-up

An Assemblies of God pastor facing allegations of sexual abuse has taken an extended break from his duties, citing emotional strain, and is under investigation by his church.

Allegations of sexual abuse by Pastor Wayne Hughes, the head of the Takapuna Assembly of God church, were published in the Herald on Thursday after a member of the church, who had complained to the national church hierarchy last October, spoke out.

Concerns were also raised by Nasir Ali, who was briefly married to Mr Hughes' daughter, Angela, about allegations that the pastor sexually abused a teenager.

Yesterday, the Assemblies of God General Superintendent, Ken Harrison, issued a statement denying the church tried to cover up the allegations.

He said he sought legal advice on the allegations in November 2004, and began an investigation.

Meetings with Pastor Hughes about the claims were ongoing, the most recent was on March 18.

Mr Harrison said no disciplinary action could be taken unless there was admissible evidence of the alleged sexual abuse.

"The Assemblies of God in New Zealand is highly aggrieved at the Herald's allegations of a cover-up. Its actions to date are anything but. It is obliged to undertake its investigations with proper regard to the principles of natural justice and to ensure any evidence it considers against Pastor Hughes is legally admissible."

At the Takapuna Assembly of God 10am Good Friday service yesterday, Pastor Duane Newport told the congregation Mr Hughes was under great emotional pressure. The church board and pastors agreed on Thursday that, based on medical and spiritual advice, Mr Hughes should "take a timely break".

Mr Newport did not refer to the nature of the allegations, but said the article in Thursday's Herald contained "a number of unsubstantiated and malicious allegations" which he said first arose nine years ago.

"They were subsequently looked at by the police. They found no basis to substantiate those claims whatsoever."

He said the Hughes family was devastated by the allegations, and Mr Hughes, who had taken legal advice, would not comment "due to the complexity of the legal issues".

Mr Hughes had cared for his wife, who suffered from Parkinson's disease, for the past 16 years and was under emotional strain, Mr Newport said.

Mr Hughes had had medical advice to take a "substantial break".

After Mr Newport's statement at the Good Friday service, the Hughes family was asked on to the stage, and Mr Hughes and some in the congregation wept as they prayed for the family.