ARCHBISHOP John Bathersby of Brisbane would like Australians to remember former Governor-General Dr Peter Hollingworth as a kind and compassionate man.
Archbishop Bathersby, in an ABC Radio interview after Dr Hollingworth’s resignation as Governor-General on May 25, spoke in support of his friend who stepped down over controversy relating to his handling of child sex abuse claims in the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane while he was archbishop.
‘It just seems unfortunate that somehow or other he’s been caught up in all of this and that very positive side of his whole character, I think, is forgotten in this present situation,’ Archbishop Bathersby said.
‘I think that mistakes were made for sure, but again 10 years ago they were mistakes that were probably being made by a number of people before adequate processes were put in place.’
Archbishop Bathersby said he hoped Dr Hollingworth and his wife Ann could now find peace.
Speaking separately on ABC Radio, Archbishop George Pell of Sydney agreed and said no Church leader should ever be appointed Governor-General because it would muddy the waters between Church and state.
