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	Alleged Sex Incident Priests "Should Lose Holy Orders" By Giselle Wakatama ABC News December 16, 2010 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/15/3094199.htm?site=sydney The Anglican Bishop of Newcastle has been urged to strip two priests of their holy orders, including one who has served in the upper echelons of the church. The Newcastle Diocese Professional Standards Board is holding hearings focussing on an alleged sex incident in a motel room at Narrandera, in southern New South Wales, in 1984. The Board found the former Dean of Newcastle, The Very Reverend Graeme Lawrence, was involved in sex acts with a 19-year-old man. The Board found another priest, Reverend Graeme Leslie Sturt watched on, before making advances to a 17-year-old boy. But the 17-year-old told the Board he has no memory of the incident because he was drunk. The Board has recommended that the Reverend Sturt and the Very Reverend Graeme Lawrence be deposed from holy orders, saying both have brought disgrace to the church. The Reverends Lawrence and Sturt refused to take part in the hearings, but deny the allegations. The President of the Professional Standards Board, Colin Elliot said the Very Reverend Lawrence is seen as a pillar in the community but stressed profound consequences must flow for his conduct, which he says also involved sending explicit letters. The Diocese Prosecutor Phillip Lloyd said he led a secret double life and said the community would be shocked. Mr Lloyd said the Order of Australia recipient commited offences against morality and was unfit for ministry. The community held a fundraiser for the former Dean when he retired in 2008. The Anglican Bishop of Newcastle, Brian Farran, is considering the Board's recommendations and has declined to comment.
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