Anglican Priests Defrocked for Alleged Ongoing Sex with Teenage Boy

By Dan Box
The Australian
September 10, 2012

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/anglican-priests-defrocked-for-alleged-ongoing-sex-with-teenage-boy/story-e6frg6nf-1226471022428

THREE senior Anglican priests, including the former Dean of Newcastle, have been defrocked after allegedly having sex with a teenage boy.

One other priest, as well as an Anglican schoolteacher, has also been disciplined by the Bishop of Newcastle, in central NSW, after alleged involvement in group sex sessions with the boy.

Announcing his decision this afternoon, Bishop Brian Farran said some of the priests had been found to have "engaged in serious sexual misconduct including misconduct when the complainant was a child. Each of them failed to report the misconduct when they were legally obliged to do so."

An investigation by the Diocese of Newcastle's Professional Standards Board found one of the four priests, Reverend Andrew Duncan, "engaged in an ongoing sexual relationship" with the boy - named only as M - from the age of 14.

The former Dean of Newcastle, Graeme Lawrence, is alleged to have begun a sexual relationship with the boy when he was 16, and this allegedly later involved "regular group sex" with the schoolteacher, Gregory Goyette.

"In 1981, at M family home whilst his family members were at home, (Reverend Lawrence) entered the bedroom of M, put M's hand on his crotch so he could feel his erect penis and said to M, 'You can have this anytime'," the Diocese found.

Reverend Lawrence has previously denied the allegations.

Both Reverend Lawrence and Reverend Duncan, as well as a third priest, Bruce Hoare, were stripped of Holy Orders this afternoon. Mr Goyette has been banned from holding any position in the Anglican Church in Australia.

A fourth priest, Reverend Graeme Sturt, was found to have been present during another alleged group sex session involving M and another, unidentified, teenager. He has been prohibited from working as a clergyman for 5 years.

Reverend Sturt has also previously denied the allegations.

In a written statement released by the Diocese, M said "Making my complaint and having it heard has been a long and difficult journey, but I urge anybody else who has had similar experiences to speak out."

Reverends Hoare and Duncan, as well as Mr Goyette, could not be contacted.