Max Davis, former ADF bishop cleared of child sex charges, yet to decide on future with military

By David Weber
ABC News
February 16, 2016

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-16/adf-bishop-max-davis-child-sex-cleared-future-military/7173302

Bishop Max Davis has been cleared of allegations of indecency in relation to children during his time at St Benedict's College in New Norcia, Western Australia.

The former head of the Australian Defence Force's Catholic diocese is yet to decide if he will resume his role in the military, after being cleared of child sex allegations.

Bishop Max Davis was on trial last week charged with six counts of being grossly indecent with boys at St Benedict's College in New Norcia between 1969 and 1972.

A jury found the 70-year-old not guilty on all charges, after about four hours of deliberation.

Bishop Davis was a dormitory master at St Benedict's College.

He had always denied any wrongdoing and denied ever having a sexual interest in children.

During the trial, defence counsel suggested two alternative suspects: Father Justin, who Bishop Davis helped remove as rector for inappropriate behaviour, and Brother Benedict, who was in charge of discipline before Bishop Davis took over. Both are now dead.

Bishop Davis had stepped aside from his role as bishop of the Catholic Diocese of the Australian Defence Force in June 2014.

In a statement, the diocese said Bishop Davis would take some time to decide whether to return to public ministry.

It said it strongly encouraged any victims of abuse to report the matter to police and seek assistance through dedicated legal and support services.