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	Anglican Church Considers Future of Paedophile Priest By Michael Edwards ABC October 31, 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2007/s2076670.htm TONY EASTLEY: The Anglican Church is considering whether to allow a convicted paedophile to remain a priest. Advocates for the victims of sexual abuse say the credibility of the Anglican Church is at stake over the case of Robert Sharwood. The Anglican priest will soon be released from jail after serving a year for sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy, 30 years ago. The Brisbane diocese is holding an investigation into Sharwood's status as a member of the clergy. The investigation has invited the victim to re-present his evidence and also warned him he could be cross-examined by his abuser. Michael Edwards has this report. MICHAEL EDWARDS: Robert Francis Sharwood met his 13-year-old victim when he was helping the boy's family clean up after floods in 1974. At his trial last year, it was heard Sharwood sexually abused the boy hundreds of times over a two-year period. The offences were committed at his home, youth camps and in hotel rooms. Sharwood was sentenced to 33 months in jail but is set to be released next month. He's been deregistered from practising as a priest in the Brisbane diocese, but he still holds his holy orders. The Brisbane diocese is holding an investigation into his status. Sharwood has the right to address this investigation. So too does his victim. This process has outraged Karyn Walsh from the Esther Centre for victims of clerical abuse. KARYN WALSH: Disbelief, really. I can't believe the Church would put a victim in that position once again when the Church, really, has all the information, through a criminal case, that it needs where this man's been convicted to make any judgment about whether he was suitable for priesthood or not. MICHAEL EDWARDS: The investigation could strip Sharwood of his holy orders, but the possibility is there that it could allow him to remain a priest. The Anglican Church would also not rule out the possibility that Sharwood may be able to cross-examine his victim. However, the Brisbane Archbishop, Phillip Aspinall, says he personally doesn't want any priest convicted of sexual abuse to be able to minister again. AM understands it's unlikely Sharwood would ever be allowed to practice as a priest anywhere in Australia again. Karyn Walsh says all churches need consistency on the issue. KARYN WALSH: I think there is an issue about what different churches do see as to whether a priest should be allowed to return to ministry. In some cases, priests are allowed to still privately be a priest, but not have a public role within the Church. And in other cases they're not allowed to practice at all, so there's no consistency, really. MICHAEL EDWARDS: Mrs Walsh says in this case, the credibility of the Anglican Church is at stake. KARYN WALSH: I think the credibility of the Church in relation to sexual abuse is still something that a lot of people don't have confidence in. TONY EASTLEY: Victims' advocate Karyn Walsh ending Michael Edwards report.
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