Church acts against former Grafton deacon and CV councillor

Daily Examiner
July 15, 2015

http://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/news/former-grafton-deacon-removed-from-holy-orders-aft/2706391/

Pat Comben

A FORMER Registrar of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton, and fomer Clarence Valley Councillor, has been removed from holy orders on the recommendation of an independent Professional Standards Board.

Patrick Comben had been a licensed deacon in the Anglican Church.

The recommendation follows a hearing by the Board, headed by Sydney barrister, the Hon. Mr Morton Rolfe QC.

The hearing related to the diocesan response to allegations of abuse at the North Coast Children's Home in Lismore during the period 1940-1980 and claims for compensation.

The hearing followed findings by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and evidence given at the hearing by Mr Comben.

The Board's recommendation was directed to the Diocesan Bishop, the Rt Rev Dr Sarah Macneil.

Dr Macneil adopted the recommendation and informed Mr Comben of his removal, or deposition, from holy orders within the Anglican Church.

Under church law there is no avenue of appeal.

The choice of recommendations available to the Board varied from counselling to loss of all standing as an ordained person within the Anglican Church of Australia.

Mr Comben also sat on the Clarence Valley Council in 2008-12.