Anglican Church in NSW Supreme Court

The Anglican Church’s disciplinary system will be challenged in the New South Wales Supreme Court today, by two Newcastle priests who are facing being stripped of holy orders.

The church’s professional standards board last year recommended the former dean of Newcastle Reverend Graeme Lawrence and Reverend Graeme Sturt be defrocked.

The most serious penalty that Canon Law can provide, even for murder!

The recommendation came after the board heard evidence of their alleged involvement in an incident involving a teenager at a clergy camp in the Riverina in the 1980s.

The pair deny the allegations, which have not been pursued by the NSW Department of Public Prosecutions.

The priests argue the disciplinary hearings lacked procedural fairness and they are also claiming damages.

Be careful for one wishes. This could prompt a Police investigation into areas that they might not like.

And the state (rightly) has greater penalties than Canon Law…

The case has caused division within the diocese, with supporters of the clergymen lodging formal complaints against the Bishop of Newcastle for his handling of the matter.

What, that it was leaked to the public?

The outcome will determine the future of the Anglican Church’s professional standards protocols for dealing with misconduct of clergy and church workers nationally.

Let us fervently hope that it will be abandoned, and then left to state and federal authorities.