Accused Priest Not at Standards Hearing

By Ben Smee
Newcastle Herald
July 5, 2012

http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/accused-priest-not-at-standards-hearing/2614003.aspx


A HUNTER priest accused of sexual acts with a 19-year-old during a mid-1980s church synod failed to attend an Anglican Professional Standardsd Board hearing into the complaints yesterday.

The priest, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces internal charges, including that he breached the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle's professional standards ordinance and code of conduct.

Specific complaints include that he drank alcohol in a motel room with two teenagers, aged 17 and 19 at the time, at the church synod in the Riverina in 1984.

The 19-year-old made a formal statement to police alleging that he then engaged in simultaneous sex acts with two priests, including the accused priest, while a third priest watched.

The 17-year-old made a statement to police that defended the accused priest's character, said he could not envisage him engaging in the alleged conduct, and that he "cannot remember anything specifically untoward happening" on the night.

Police investigated the complaints but did not lay charges.

The Professional Standards Board has made adverse findings against the other priests involved and will decide whether to recommend disciplinary proceedings against the accused priest.

In a letter sent to the board on June 19, through a lawyer, the priest said he could not afford the cost of legal action and would not attend the hearing.

"He will not be in a position to defend the allegations against him, however he does deny the allegations," the lawyer's letter said.

Diocese prosecutor Philip Lloyd said the diocese had offered the priest $2000 to cover court costs, and would consider further claims.