Newcastle Anglican Cathedral Child Sex Abuse Scandal: A Summary
Key Concepts:
- Child sexual abuse within the Anglican Church
- Institutional cover-up and protection of perpetrators
- Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
- Survivor advocacy and the cost of speaking out
- Institutional betrayal and lack of accountability
- Professional Standards Ordinance
- Culture change within the church
- Vicarious trauma and personal cost of leadership
The Scandal Unfolds
The Newcastle Anglican Cathedral, a symbol of power and community, was shaken by multiple child sex abuse scandals. By 1999, allegations were widespread, detailing abuse and rape. The church was accused of failing to provide pastoral care and enabling the abuse.
Bishop Greg Thompson's Stand
Greg Thompson, appointed Bishop of Newcastle, refused to ignore the issue, driven by his own experience as a sexual abuse survivor. He faced ostracism and marginalization for challenging the institution. He questioned the tradition of the bishop protecting the institution. One of the commissioners at the end of the royal commission said to him "Greg you realize you will never be asked to help the church in this and that's because you know too much."
Greg Thompson's Return and Reflection
Seven years after resigning as Bishop of Newcastle immediately after the Royal Commission, Greg Thompson returns to confront the past. He acknowledges the need for the church to acknowledge the past to be shaped by something new. He meets with the current Bishop of Newcastle, Peter Stewart, formerly his assistant bishop.
Greg Thompson's Early Life and Abuse
Greg Thompson grew up in a working-class family and experienced sexual assault at a young age. He sought refuge in the church, finding love and care from people outside his family. He felt propelled towards God and ministry through this experience. At 16, he decided to become a minister. Canon Eric Barker, a senior priest, mentored him and introduced him to Bishop Ian Chev.
Abuse by Church Leaders
Bishop Ian Chev and Canon Eric Barker took Greg to an explicit film and molested him. Barker's abuse escalated, with groping, kissing, and invitations to bed, promising career advancement in exchange for a relationship. This experience caused Greg confusion and anxiety.
Escape and Career
Greg left Newcastle, trained independently, and married Kerry. He moved to Darwin, becoming the bishop of the Northern Territory.
Steve Smith's Story
Steve Smith, a working-class boy from Newcastle, was abused by Father George Parker, who showed a particular interest in him. The abuse began when Steve became an alter boy at age 10. When Steve's mother reported the abuse to Bishop Ian Chev, she was dismissed.
Bishop Ian Chev's Role
Bishop Ian Chev was described as narcissistic and would "savage" anyone who made a complaint. He was later outed by the Royal Commission as an abuser himself.
The Pedophile Network
Anne Manne, a social philosopher, researched the Newcastle Anglican case. She highlighted how pedophiles target not only the child but also the people around them, building trust and creating a "halo effect." Newcastle was an epicenter for child sexual abuse due to the class divide, with working-class children abused by middle-class priests. Victims were often threatened with defamation. A web of up to 30 alleged perpetrators operated with impunity for 30-40 years, protected by powerful figures within the church. Key figures included Father Peter Rushton and Graham Lawrence, dean of the cathedral.
Professional Standards Ordinance
In 2004, the Anglican Church introduced the Professional Standards Ordinance, separating bishops from the investigation process. This led to Rushton's exposure in 2010, though he died before facing charges. Graham Lawrence was defrocked in 2012.
Greg Thompson's Tenure as Bishop
When Greg Thompson became Bishop of Newcastle in 2014, he was unaware of the entrenched culture of secrecy. He felt "blindsided" and "groomed" to minimize the harm and ignore survivors. Dr. Kathleen McFillips noted that Greg came in with an agenda of change, listening to people and finding a lack of empathy for victims.
Royal Commission Involvement
The Royal Commission investigated the Newcastle Dasis. Greg Thompson's perpetrator was listed as a person of interest. He made the difficult decision to go public about his own abuse.
Backlash and Betrayal
A faction of the community turned on Greg, questioning his mental health and ability to lead. They wrote letters to the Royal Commission and the archbishop of Sydney. Greg made a public apology to survivors of sexual abuse. The community within the cathedral would turn away from him and refused communion to his wife Kerry.
Royal Commission Findings
The Royal Commission found that a group of perpetrators operated within the dasis for at least 30 years, prioritizing the church's reputation over child protection. The Royal Commission saying to Greg "We believe you." was incredibly powerful for him.
Aftermath and Resignations
Bishop Roger Hurf resigned after admitting he'd let down survivors. Graham Lawrence was jailed in 2019 but released 4 years later. Greg Thompson resigned as bishop in 2017 due to the trauma. Peter Stewart became the 14th bishop of Newcastle.
Culture Change and Ongoing Concerns
Peter Stewart implemented changes to volunteering policies and safeguarding orders. The diosis declined an interview with Compass, stating that the bishop is the spokesperson for professional standards matters. Steve Smith expressed concerns that the church and community think the issues have been dealt with and that the potential to slide back is extraordinarily real.
Steve Smith's Pursuit of Justice
Steve Smith and his wife Rachel have spent years trying to get justice. His abuser, Father George Parker, died just weeks before his trial in 2017.
Greg Thompson's Current Status
Greg Thompson has moved to Adelaide and is a devoted grandfather. He feels on the fringe of church life and is cynical of the Anglican institution. He believes he invested his life in people, using the institution as a framework.
Lack of Consultation
Greg has not been asked to provide advice to theological colleges or bishops on making the church safer. Some church leaders view him as a risk figure because he can speak about institutional misconduct and corruption. Bishop Peter Stewart stated that they felt it was right to do some of that journeying themselves and that some things about the institutional church actually trigger Greg.
Conclusion
The Newcastle Anglican Cathedral child sex abuse scandal reveals a history of abuse, cover-up, and institutional protection. Greg Thompson's courageous stand and the Royal Commission's findings brought some accountability, but concerns remain about ongoing culture change and the church's willingness to learn from the past. The personal cost for survivors and those who spoke out was significant, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and support for victims.
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