Sunday, May 01, 2011

Retired bishop admits to 'inappropriate behaviour'

A recently retired Catholic bishop has become the most senior member of the church to admit to inappropriate behaviour.

In a carefully worded statement, Christopher Toohey says his behaviour with young adults in his pastoral care was "not consistent with that required of a good person".

The statement does not detail the behaviour, but states it happened during the early years of Christopher Toohey's ministry.

The Catholic Church says there was no criminal behaviour.

In 2009, Pope Benedict the 16th accepted the sudden resignation of Christopher Toohey as bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes in the New South Wales far west.