A Catholic archbishop has accepted the resignation of a 61-year-old Victorian Catholic priest charged with child sex abuse and possessing child pornography. Meredith parish priest Father John Haines, who has served the district near Geelong for more than a decade, has been sent on "administrative leave" after the charges were laid by Colac detectives.
Fr Haines was charged with possessing child pornography, transmitting child pornography and procuring a child for child pornography.
He was also charged with indecent assault with a child under 16 and indecent act with a child under 16.
Victoria Police said the alleged offences were believed to have taken place in the Geelong area between 2007 and 2008.
Melbourne's Catholic Archbishop Denis Hart confirmed he had accepted the resignation of Fr Haines, who he named in a prepared statement.
Fr Haines has been placed on administrative leave and his faculties to operate as a priest withdrawn, the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne said.
"I am deeply troubled by the laying of charges and concerned for all persons involved," Archbishop Hart said.
"I wish to assure parishioners and the local community of my support and concern for them at this time."
Archbishop Hart said Fr Haines was entitled to the presumption of innocence.
"As the matter is now in the hands of the Victoria Police it is not appropriate for me to make any further comment," Archbishop Hart said.
Police executed a search warrant after a community member made a complaint to Colac police.
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