AUSTRALIA
Newcastle Herald
Joanne McCarthy
16 Mar 2017
NEWCASTLE Anglican Bishop Greg Thompson has announced his resignation only months after exposing shocking opposition to his strong stand on child sexual abuse in Newcastle diocese, and a day before giving evidence at a Royal Commission public hearing into the Anglican Church in Australia.
“When I started this journey to right the wrongs of child abuse in the diocese I didn’t expect to be in this position, nor did I expect to uncover systemic practices that have enabled the horrendous crimes against children,” Bishop Thompson said in a statement released to the media on Thursday morning.
“The decision to resign was not an easy one, it weighed heavily on my heart. However, I must place the wellbeing of my family and my health above my job.”
He is the second senior member of the diocese to resign for their strong opposition to child sexual abuse in the diocese, after former diocese business manager John Cleary resigned on February 27. Mr Cleary was recognised by the diocese for being “dedicated and diligent in uncovering child sexual abuse in the diocese and providing crucial support to survivors”.
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