Anglican Church finds former governor-general Peter Hollingworth failed children over reporting obligations

Former governor-general Peter Hollingworth has been accused by the Anglican Church of significant neglect over his child reporting obligations.

An internal Anglican investigation into seven allegations has found against Peter Hollingworth twice on the grounds of an alleged failure to take action to protect children. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The Anglican Church has found against former governor-general Peter Hollingworth over two allegations of significant neglect of a child regarding his handling of a sex abuse scandal.

An internal Anglican investigation into seven allegations has found against Dr Hollingworth twice on the grounds of an alleged failure to take action to protect children.

Sources familiar with the probe said Victoria’s Commission for Children and Young People had been alerted to the internal findings and the matter would be referred to authorities to determine what action was to be taken. The findings related to “significant neglect” of a child, sources said.

Under the investigation protocols, the inquiry was conducted by the church but overseen by the CCYP.

Friends of Dr Hollingworth, 88, said the former archbishop had no intention of working with children and had not done so for a significant amount of time.

The church said: “Archbishop Philip Freier, who leads the ­diocese, takes his responsibility as the head of entity with mandatory reporting obligations under the Act, very seriously.

“The diocese ensures that any information about harm to a child that falls under the mandatory reporting regime is reported to the CCYP.”

The investigation findings come after Dr Hollingworth this year was found to have mishandled abuse complaints against two clergy members, John Elliot and Donald Shearman, both of whom he allowed to remain in the church while he was archbishop of Brisbane in the 1980s

That board inquiry also found he had made unsatisfactory ­comments about abuse survivor Beth Heinrich ­in a 2002 episode of ­ ABC TV’s Australian Story.

A CCYP spokesman said the organisation was unable to ­comment on individual cases under the state’s reportable ­conduct scheme or child safety standards.

“Under the reportable conduct scheme, investigations are carried out by organisations under the commission’s oversight, with findings required to be reported to us,’’ he said.

“The commission then refers any substantiated findings to Working with Children Check Victoria, which can then review whether a person is suitable to maintain their Working with Children Check.

“The commission may also make recommendations to an organisation about improving their reporting and investigation of allegations. The findings of investigations cannot be publicly released.

“In addition, the commission may undertake action, including investigations, to ensure organisations are meeting their obligations under Victoria’s Child Safe Standards to adequately respond to child safety complaints.’’

Chris Goddard a global expert on child abuse, said the latest development reconfirmed his view that Dr Hollingworth’s governor-general’s pension should be cut and the cash given to abuse victims. “This is just another opportunity to review his extravagant pension,’’ Professor Goddard said.

Details of the two substantiated allegations – as determined by the church – have not been made public.

However, Dr Hollingworth has been widely condemned for his failure to deal with the child sex abuse scandal in Brisbane and his handling of offenders.

This includes keeping known offenders in the ministry, even in the face of strong evidence against them.

The constant publicity about his time as archbishop and governor-general have taken a toll on Dr Hollingworth, who was once the nation’s main advocate for social justice.

A separate, church-initiated inquiry into Dr Hollingworth ­earlier this year found him guilty of seven counts of misconduct.

But at the time the board did not defrock him or strip him of the right to officiate; the committee had sought for him to lose the right to officiate, and says it submitted that it was open for the board to recommend his removal from holy orders.

But on May 12, Dr Hollingworth announced his intention to return his permission to officiate and this was accepted by the church on May 19.

On May 23, at the request of the committee, Dr Hollingworth gave an undertaking he would not apply in the future for a permission to officiate anywhere in Australia.

Comment was sought from Dr Hollingworth and the church.