BY ALISON DELLIT
The rapid unravelling of Governor General Peter Hollingworth's credibility highlights the problems inherent in having an appointed head of state. By February 22, media monitor Rehame estimated, based on talkback radio responses, that 55% of the Australians thought Hollingworth should resign.
Several accusations have been made concerning Hollingworth's handling of sexual assault cases while he was the Anglican archbishop of Brisbane. None of the allegations that have been substantiated indicate that Hollingworth has broken the law — but they do indicate that he consistently put the "interests" of the Anglican Church ahead of the needs of victims of abuse.
The worst allegations concern Toowoomba Anglican Preparatory School, where a teacher, Kevin Guy, abused at least three girls. One girl successfully sued the Anglican Church for negligence of duty, receiving the highest ever settlement for such a case.
"It's only since the court case [against the Anglican Church] that I've had any real understanding of what happened to the one girl who made her testimony", Hollingworth told the ABC's Australian Story on February 18. "It's horrific. I had no idea of all this, I had no idea of the level of Guy's abuse." Despite Hollingworth's claim of ignorance, he made the decision for the Brisbane diocese to contest the case.
Hollingworth's inability to believe that Anglican priests and teachers could abuse parishioners is reflected in his approach to numerous allegations of sexual abuse. He has blamed the victim, not pursued allegations and, on at least two occasions, held up investigations into sexual abuse because he needed to go away.
All seven members of the committee set up by Hollingworth to investigate sexual abuse complaints resigned in 1999, frustrated by Hollingworth's approach.
Hollingworth himself has admitted that he made "errors" of judgement in handling accusations of sexual abuse. But citing the biblical quote, "let he who is without sin cast the first stone", he argues that he is still fit to be governor general.
He has also pointed out, correctly, that he didn't invent the problem of sexual abuse within church institutions. One of the benefits of this scandal is that it is highlighting the extent of abuse within church institutions, and the tendency of religious bodies to handle such cases "in house", thus making it harder for abuse survivors to access legal processes, and non-religious, feminist counselling services.
"Peter Hollingworth", Patricia Brennan, founder of the Movement for the Ordination of Women in Australia, wrote in February 22 Sydney Morning Herald, "is representative of a system that has failed to protect victims of sexual abuse and the product of a theology which has often underpinned it."
The problem, however, is not that Hollingworth made errors in judgement, but the pattern inherent in the mistakes — a pattern of supporting and believing accused priests before accusing parishioners. This pattern has been — rightly — see as unacceptable by the majority of Australians.
The reason that people are baying for Hollingworth's blood is that the office of governor general — rightly or wrongly — has been interpreted by most as a position of moral authority. And Hollingworth's recent actions leave him little of that.
Hollingworth came to office in a storm of controversy. As one of Australia's most high profile clerics, his appointment as head of state was seen by many as blurring the boundary between church and state. Many critics were silenced, however, by Hollingworth's reputation as a social reformer.
Hollingworth spent more than 20 years working for the Brotherhood of St Lawrence, building a reputation as a staunch advocate for the very poor. More recently, he has been involved in the Reconciliation Council and has advocated that the federal government apologise to the stolen generations.
But, rejected for the post of national primate of the Anglican Church in 2000 because, according to the May 2000 Christian News, he was perceived as too conservative, Hollingworth has a history of hedging his bets on most social questions.
He supported the introduction of a consumption tax, before arguing that it should not be placed on food. Although initially supporting the minimalist republican model at the 1999 republican convention, he abstained on the vote.
In a high-profile July 2000 federation address at Westminster Abbey, Hollingworth made specific reference to the "peaceful settlement of Australia", thus denying the brutality of the British colonial invasion, and angering many Indigenous people's rights campaigners.
In 1997, Hollingworth censured then-Sydney Archbishop Peter Carnley for raising the issue of Indigenous oppression while overseas.
Many feminists were frustrated by Hollingworth's 1987 clamp down against the ordination of women priests. Although he has since ordained women in accordance with the Brisbane diocese decision to allow it, many feminists remain sceptical as to his commitment. Prominent Anglican feminist Gwen Roberts left the Church in part because of Hollingworth's leadership.
Hollingworth led the charge against proposals to give single women and lesbians access to IVF programs. His last act as archbishop was to ban US Bishop Jack Sprong, an advocate for gay marriage, from speaking in Anglican churches.
In his first press conference after his appointment as governor general, in April 2001, Hollingworth gave some indication of why his friend John Howard may have wanted him in the post. Distancing himself from the approach of his predecessor, William Deane, who publicly condemned government policy on Aboriginal affairs, Hollingworth said that he would "not be speaking on controversial issues". The statement now appears rather ironic.
Many — including Sydney Morning Herald political editor Michelle Gratten, the Age's associate editor Pamela Bone, Gerard Henderson from the conservative think-tank the Sydney Institute and opposition leader Simon Crean — are now calling for Hollingworth to resign. Some are also calling for Howard to ask Queen Elizabeth to sack Hollingworth if he refuses to resign.
Hollingworth's resignation, or his removal from office, would strengthen arguments that sexual assault victims — most of whom are women — should be believed. It would be a strong statement of condemnation of the continuing abuse of children and women inside religious institutions, and those institutions apparent inability to deal with such abuse.
The office of governor general has a vague job description — the Australian constitution states only that the position is to be the "Queen's representative in the Commonwealth". It does carry considerable reserve powers — the power to sack a government, and to call out the troops — but successive prime ministers have argued the job is "ceremonial" and there to "represent all Australians".
The post is a dangerous anachronism. It is impossible for one individual to represent the views of all Australians. Hollingworth has been able to lose his credibility so easily in part because he had no elected mandate to fall back on.
Whether or not Hollingworth survives as governor general, however, it is urgent that a public — not a church-run — inquiry is held into the handling of sexual abuse cases in the Anglican Brisbane diocese.
From 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, February 27, 2002.
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