AUSTRALIA
ABC News
[with audio]
By Lexi Metherell
One of the Catholic Church’s most outspoken and loved leaders has encouraged his fellow clergy to keep the pressure on the Vatican to reform, as he prepares to retire.
Father Pat Power has resigned after more than 25 years as the bishop of Canberra and Goulburn.
He has become known as one of the church’s more progressive leaders, questioning the need for priests to be celibate and for women to be excluded from senior roles.
Father Power says the sexual abuse scandals have diminished the authority of the church and warns that unless there is reform, parishes will continue to shrink.
“There’s been the whole question of sexual abuse, which has brought a terrible stain on the life of the church,” he said.
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