A victim of sexual abuse in the 1970s, at the hands of a brother from St John of God, has grown up hating the church.

Brother Rodger Moloney was sentenced to two years nine months in prison on seven counts of abuse of young boys when he was head of Maryland's Special School in Christchurch.

One of the victims told the court of the emotional impact he still suffers. He has more than 300 convictions for dishonesty offences and says he targeted churches. He admits though that his image of the church has been tarnished.

The victim said the sentence does come as a closure, but he would be happy to have the Pope personally apologise.