NSW police are investigating allegations four Anglican priests, including the former dean of Newcastle, had sex or were involved in group sex sessions with a teenage boy aged as young as 14. The establishment of the inquiry, which was referred to police by the church itself, means detectives are now involved in two separate investigations into alleged child abuse by church officials in Newcastle during the 1970s and 80s.
The second, Strike Force Georgiana, is investigating the Catholic Church and has charged six priests with pedophile abuse.
While neither police investigation is looking specifically at any connection between members
of the two churches allegedly involved in pedophile abuse, detectives believe such relationships may exist.
One source within the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle said: "It's possible there are links. There's no strong evidence of it, but it's possible . . . There's certainly been a strong network up here and they infiltrated the church."
Three of the Anglican priests under investigation, Andrew Duncan, Graeme Lawrence and Bruce Hoare, were formally defrocked yesterday following an internal church inquiry, while the fourth, Graeme Sturt, was prohibited from exercising any ministry for five years.
In a written statement, the Diocese found that Reverend Duncan first had oral sex with the boy, identified as M, in 1979, when M was aged 14.
For the next five years the two "engaged in an ongoing sexual relationship", involving masturbation and "digital and penile penetration" of M, who was then aged 17, the Diocese said.
The Very Reverend Graeme Lawrence met the boy as early as 1981, when he was 16, the Diocese found. This took place "at M's family home, whilst his family members were at home . . . (He) entered the bedroom of M, put M's hand on his crotch so he could feel his erect penis and said to M, 'You can have this anytime'," the Diocese alleged.
Over the next four years, including while Reverend Lawrence was working as the dean of Newcastle, the two had an "ongoing sexual relationship", including "regular group sex" with an Anglican teacher, Gregory Goyette, the Diocese found.
During one such session, in a motel room in Narrandera in NSW, Reverend Lawrence "performed oral sex" on M while "at the same time Reverend Bruce Hoare was simultaneously engaging in sex acts with M", the Diocese found. Reverend Sturt is alleged to have been "present in the room and watching on", although he did not take part, the Diocese alleged.
Each of the four priests has previously denied the allegations against them while a previous police inquiry was suspended after the state Director of Public Prosecutions found there was insufficient evidence to lay charges.
Mr Goyette could not be contacted.
The Anglican Bishop of Newcastle, Brian Farran, yesterday said none of the four priests co-operated with the church inquiry into their alleged misconduct.
In a written statement, M said: "Making my complaint and having it heard has been a long and difficult journey. I urge anybody else who has had similar experiences to speak out."