Catholic clergyman committed to trial
A Catholic clergyman has been ordered to stand trial on historical six abuse allegations in Christchurch.

At a depositions hearing in the Christchurch District Court, 59-year-old Father Raymond Garchow was committed to trial on four charges involving two complainants.

The allegations date back to the 1970s at Christchurch's Marylands School, which was run by the Saint John of God Order. One witness took the stand but their evidence has been suppressed.

Judge Bisphan also suppressed the precise nature of the charges, images or photographs of the defendant and counsel's reasons for the suppression orders.

Garchow was one of two Catholic clergymen extradited from Australia last year.

Today's proceedings were observed by the Australasia head of Saint John of God, Brother Timothy Graham.

Copyright@ 2006 Ann Thompson

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