Hollingworth ‘fit for ministry’ despite abuse findings

Mibenge Nsenduluka | April 24, 2023

Peter Hollingworth admits he made mistakes after an Anglican Church review into child sex abuse allegations found evidence of misconduct but ruled the former governor-general is “fit for ministry”.

Dr Hollingworth, 88, said he failed to appropriately respond to abuse complaints when he was archbishop of Brisbane in the 1990s, but did not commit any crime.

The Professional Standards Board for the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne on Monday found Dr Hollingworth committed misconduct in relation to seven of 10 complaints against him.

But it ruled there was no threat of unacceptable risk to others if he continued in ministry within limited and defined duties.

“I made mistakes and I cannot undo them,” Dr Hollingworth said.

“I accept the board’s recommendations and look forward to these matters finally being put to rest.

“Hardly a day has passed in the past 30 years when I have not reflected on these matters and my failings. I had devoted my life to social justice, pastoral care and healing but I had little experience in dealing with the child abuse issues. 

“Like other church leaders, I was unduly influenced by the advice of lawyers and insurance companies.”

A church inquiry was launched over concerns of his handling of abuse cases while he was archbishop.

He must formally apologise to victims of child sex abuse who were affected under his leadership.

Melbourne Anglican Archbishop Philip Freier will reprimand Dr Hollingworth for retaining two members of clergy he knew were offenders and for his “harsh and insensitive communications with and letters about the victims of those abusers”.

Archbishop Freier said he would publish a statement in coming days.

He said he had written to the Commission for Children and Young People and would continue to work with the body to ensure Dr Hollingworth abided by his legal obligations.

“It is important to note that the diocese has no influence over the complaints process. I have not been involved in any deliberations or investigation,” Archbishop Freier said.

Dr Hollingworth was archbishop for more than a decade before becoming Australia’s 23rd governor-general in 2001. He resigned in 2003 after a series of revelations about his response to multiple child sex abuse complaints.

Critics had called for him to be defrocked after it was alleged he failed to appropriately respond to misconduct allegations against a teacher at Toowoomba Preparatory School.

Kooyoora, an independent body which issues clearance for ministry certificates on behalf of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, conducted the review into Dr Hollingworth’s handling of the allegations. A private four-day hearing was held in February following a more than five-year investigation.

Dr Hollingworth was also forced to deny bombshell claims he raped a woman during the 1960s.

He apologised in 2016 during the child sexual abuse royal commission for failing to take action against pedophile priest John Elliot.

The commission found Dr Hollingworth made a serious error in judgment in allowing Elliot to remain in the ministry following an abuse complaint.

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