Auckland, NZ – The arsonist responsible for the fire that obliterated St Mary’s Catholic Church in Avondale has been ordered to remain under compulsory psychiatric treatment until he is assessed as fit to be released back into the community.
Sinele Katoa, 42, was charged with arson after fire crews fought to extinguish the early‑morning blaze on July 14.
The nearly 70‑year‑old church on Great North Rd had served generations of families as a place of worship, education, community gatherings and regular Tongan-language services.
At a disposition hearing on Thursday in the Auckland District Court, Father Andrew Matthew delivered a victim impact statement describing the profound loss felt by the community, the NZ Herald reported.
He said the $2.5 million insurance payout would cover only half of the estimated $5 million needed to rebuild.
“The community has stopped. The flock are going to other places because there is no church to bring them back,” he said.
“People’s memory of it is charred embers and wood burning in the early hours of the morning.”
Judge Claire Ryan heard evidence that Katoa had been suffering from undiagnosed schizophrenia for many years.
Psychiatrist Dr Ian Goodwin told the court Katoa was “acutely psychotic” on the night of the fire and had endured auditory hallucinations for at least three years.
The court also heard that Katoa had a criminal record involving violence, disorder and dangerous driving, but he had not reoffended since 2008. Judge Ryan said the 15-year gap before the arson was a “considerable period of time”.
Since his remand to the Mason Clinic, Katoa has been responding well to anti‑psychotic medication, with clinicians describing his progress as “significant”.
The court determined that Katoa will stay in compulsory psychiatric care until he is assessed as suitable for release into the community.
He was described as “very remorseful for it and has a great deal of grief for the community,” Dr Goodwin said, adding that Katoa felt too ashamed to ever return to the parish.
