Former Governor-General Peter Hollingworth dies aged 91
Quick Look
- Former Governor-General Peter Hollingworth, who resigned over his handling of child sexual abuse allegations in the Anglican Church, has died at 91.
- He served as Archbishop of Brisbane and later Governor-General, advocating for Indigenous rights and the disadvantaged before his resignation in 2003.
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Why It Matters
Peter Hollingworth, a former governor-general of Australia, died at the age of 91. He had resigned from the position in 2003 due to his handling of child sexual abuse allegations within the Anglican Church, where he had previously served as the Archbishop of Brisbane. Despite his advocacy for Indigenous rights and disadvantaged people, his tenure as governor-general was cut short.
Former governor general Peter Hollingworth, who resigned over his handling of child sexual abuse in the Anglican church, has died.
Hollingworth, who devoted much of his life to fighting poverty, served as the Anglican archbishop of Brisbane for 11 years from 1990, the first Australian-born person to hold the position.
He died on Tuesday, aged 91.
Appointed governor general in 2001 by former Liberal prime minister John Howard, Hollingworth used his position to advocate for Indigenous rights and disadvantaged people.
But Australia’s only clerical viceroy spent less than two years in the role before being forced to resign.
In 2003, a board of inquiry into the handling of complaints of sexual abuse in the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane found that Hollingworth, as archbishop, failed to act on knowledge of abuse.
He allowed two priests to remain in the church despite knowing they had sexually assaulted children.
A church inquiry in 2023 found he had committed misconduct by allowing the pedophiles to remain in the church but said he remained fit for ministry.
Hollingworth accepted the investigation’s findings, saying he “made mistakes and I cannot undo them” but had committed no crimes.
There is no suggestion Hollingworth abused children himself.
In a statement on Tuesday, Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane Jeremy Greaves said the church sent its condolences to Hollingworth’s family.
“Anglican Church of Southern Queensland acknowledges with deep regret the past failings of the church,” he said.
“(It) apologises unreservedly to those who have suffered abuse, distress, isolation, and harm caused by the church’s failure to respond with integrity and care when it was needed most.”
Hollingworth was named Australian of the Year in 1991.
He announced in 2023 he would no longer practise as an Anglican priest to “end distress” for survivors.
In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. In the UK, the NSPCC offers support to children on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about a child on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331. In the US, call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453. Other sources of help can be found at Child Helplines International
Open Questions
- What specific actions were taken by the church following the 2023 inquiry?
- What was the broader impact of Hollingworth's actions on survivors of abuse?
