An unprecedented inquiry into alleged misconduct of Anglican bishop Michael Hough could cost the Australian Anglican Church nearly a third of its financial reserves, a report said. An independent investigator, Sydney lawyer Geoff Kelly, is set to probe into claims of bullying and harassment by the Ballarat diocese bishop against clergy and laypeople, according to The Age.
It will cost an estimated $400,000.
Depending on his findings, the Episcopal Standards Commission will set up a tribunal with power to depose the bishop, also unprecedented in Australian history, which could cost another $350,000, the report adds.
The Anglican Church of Australia's reserves were $2.5 million, said national treasurer John McKenzie.
The complaints from 13 past and present clergy and several senior laypeople have not been made public.
In a report by the newspaper in January about the complaints, Ballarat Cathedral Council member Euan Thompson described the bishop as "a difficult, obnoxious, prickly person who has poor people skills and an abrasive manner."
Hough had responded that the complainants were a small group of malcontents.
Yesterday, asked if he would resign to save the investigation costs, Bishop Hough told The Age: "I'm not sure why I would go. Whatever garbage went on at the synod, our business is preaching the gospel and building the church, and I'm an integral part of it. There's a lot of exciting stuff going on."
"I don't have time to muck around with this. I'm too busy on God's business," he said.
Ballarat finance committee chairman Vernon Robson said the conflict had been divisive and had created uncertainty, and that "in the interest of all the parties," the investigation should proceed. He added the church is making "the necessary resources available."
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Source (CTHN)
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