BISHOP Max Davis of Australia’s Catholic Military Ordinariate has stood aside while he defends a charge that he abused a school student in 1969.
The ordinariate has released a statement that an allegation had been made that in 1969 Bishop Davis abused a student at St Benedict’s College, in New Norcia, Western Australia, where he was teaching at the time.
The statement said the Western Australian Police had laid a charge in relation to that.
“At that time – 45 years ago – the bishop was not ordained,” the statement said.
“The bishop emphatically denies the allegation and the charge will be defended.
“In the circumstances the bishop has decided to stand aside while the matter is dealt with by the court.”
ABC Radio reported that Bishop Davis was due to appear in Perth Magistrate’s Court on July 25, charged with three counts of indecent treatment of a child under 14.
The ordinariate’s statement said, with Bishop Davis standing aside, its vicar general Monsignor Peter O’Keefe would be responsible for the administration of the diocese.
