Pell, O'Farrell Act on Ritual Scandal

By Eamonn Duff and Nick Ralston
Sydney Morning Herald
November 07, 2012

http://www.smh.com.au/national/tertiary-education/pell-ofarrell-act-on-ritual-scandal-20121106-28w6d.html

Illustration: Rocco Fazzari

FIVE Catholic priests quit the council of the elite St John's College last night as the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, George Pell, and the Premier, Barry O'Farrell, voiced their disgust over the initiation ritual scandal.

Mr O'Farrell said he would consider changes to the Saint John's College Act 1857. "I will not allow the behaviour of a few to tarnish the global reputation of the University of Sydney," he said.

"While any changes would need to be approved by cabinet, I am more than willing to work with Cardinal Pell in his efforts to reform the college's culture."

Cardinal Pell said he no longer had confidence that the council was able to fix the problems within the elite college at the university.

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The mass resignation of the five priests from the 18-person council has left it powerless to continue to govern. Cardinal Pell called on the government to change the laws governing St John's in a move that could mean the church cedes sole control of the 150-year-old institution.

''Unfortunately, I no longer have confidence in the capacity of the council of St John's College to reform life at the college, despite their goodwill and the dedication of the chairman,'' he said. ''I have therefore requested the priest Fellows of the council to resign.''

It is understood Cardinal Pell spoke with the council chairwoman, Christine Liddy, and the vice-chancellor of the university, Michael Spence, on Tuesday afternoon and told them of his position.

His comments come after Fairfax Media revealed that the college had descended into anarchy, with widespread vandalism, furniture being smashed and set on fire and faeces routinely found in common areas and bedrooms.

First-year students were still being forced into initiation rituals, including the consumption of toxic drinks, eight months after a student collapsed and had to be taken to hospital in a similar situation.

It is understood that among the changes to be considered will be reducing the size of the council and for its appointments to be made by the church and the university.

At present the university has no control over St John's College.

With the resignation of the priests, a total of seven members of the council have quit over the serious behavioural problems, including all six clergy members.

Without a member of the clergy it is understood the council is unable to make decisions or hold meetings.

The resignations came before a meeting scheduled for Wednesday at which the future of the college rector, Michael Bongers, was expected to be discussed.

Mr Bongers, who took on the role in 2009, had maintained a hard line against ritual abuse and vandalism within the college but his efforts to expel or punish those misbehaving had been overruled.

On Tuesday Fairfax Media revealed that seven of the students involved in the infamous ''O'' Week ritual that left a teenage girl close to death in hospital, had been elected to the house committee for next year. The nine-member committee looks after the day-to-day activities of the college.