Anglican Diocese Preparing to Sell Assets to Pay Abuse Victims

By Murray Nicholls
Central Western Daily
July 5, 2017

http://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/story/4770975/hard-sell-anglican-diocese-preparing-to-sell-assets-to-pay-abuse-victims/

THE Anglican Diocese of Bathurst is preparing a new list of potential asset sales as it braces for multi-million dollar compensation payouts for victims of sexual abuse.

Bishop Ian Palmer wrote to parishioners at the weekend asking them to identify assets within their communities that could be sold to help raise $2 million.

It comes a year after the diocese was forced into a fire sale of assets to help repay a $40 million debt to the Commonwealth Bank.

Additionally, in October, 2013 the diocese sold Orange Anglican Grammar School and Macquarie Anglican Grammar School in Dubbo to the Sydney Anglican School Corporation.

Bishop Palmer said in the letter to parishioners that the Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses To Child Sexual Abuse had highlighted the damage to victims.

“Often the damage to life, relationships, work habits, employment and such like can only be adequately met through the payment of redress,” the letter stated.

“I see it as a moral responsibility to respond with practical, financial assistance.”

Speaking to the Western Advocate, Bishop Palmer said he wanted local parishioners to share in the responsibility of identifying assets to be sold.

“The letter was asking [parishioners] to identify properties that could be sold in order to meet our obligations,” he said.

“I am putting responsibility back on the parishes to look very carefully at what they regard as being excess properties to what they need.”