389:(ABC), published an article which stated that "One of the nation's most senior Anglicans, the Archbishop of Perth, Roger Herft, received complaints about a priest involved in a paedophile ring but allegedly failed to formally report him to police." The article also says that "Archbishop Herft wrote that the complaint "left me in an unenviable position" because "Father Peter had my licence and if he reoffended I would be held liable as I now had prior knowledge of his alleged behaviour". There is no record of Herft reporting the priest to police.
432:
On 15 December 2016, the
Diocese of Perth announced that Herft would retire on 7 July 2017 and remain on accrued leave until that date. This would be a year earlier than previously anticipated. Herft thanked the royal commission for holding him "personally accountable" during the hearing. He stated
467:
The Board found that “here were relevant protocols to guide, indeed impel, to act in material respects, and additionally he had the capacity to call on the organs of the Church for resources, advice and support”, and "there was always the straightforward medium of reporting allegations of serious
458:
In
September 2021, the Episcopal Standards Board of the Anglican Church of Australia conducted a hearing about Herft's fitness to remain in Holy Orders. The Board examined how Herft responded to sex abuse claims made by priests in the Newcastle diocese during his time as bishop (including a priest
396:
and was questioned about his policy in regard to the reporting and responses to allegations of abuse during his time as Bishop of
Newcastle. Herft admitted that there had been no framework for dealing with accusations of child sexual assault during the first half of his tenure in Newcastle. He had
450:, had employed a priest who had transferred from Newcastle where Herft was bishop at the time. Allegations against the priest were reported to the Newcastle diocese in 1996 a few months after he had moved to Ballarat, and again in 1999. Silk said that Herft had not advised him of the allegations.
424:
On 10 October 2016, Herft wrote a pastoral letter stating that he was standing down as archbishop to "focus my attention on the royal commission's ongoing inquiry into the
Diocese of Newcastle". Herft said in the Royal Commission that he had "let down the people of Newcastle" and "let down the
400:
A record of a 1998 meeting between Herft and other church officials showed there had been concern about following up abuse allegations. Herft said that allegations would not have been followed up unless there was a formal written complaint. He agreed with the commission that this was "Totally
468:
criminal conduct to the police", but that “ did not do so when the position of authority he held demanded that of him". The Board determined that Herft had failed to properly address claims made against these priests, that he was unfit to remain in Holy Orders and should be
463:
to be a prolific child sex abuser, another priest who had been charged with 24 child sex offences in 2017, and the former Dean of
Newcastle, Graeme Lawrence, who had been convicted of assaulting a 15 year old boy in 1991). Heft did not attend the Board's hearing.
233:
in
February 2022, after the Episcopal Standards Board of the Anglican Church of Australia determined in December 2021 that Herft had failed to address child sex abuse claims made against priests under his control during his time as Bishop of Newcastle.
864:
429:, chair of the Perth Diocesan Trustees, said that Herft "enjoyed the full support and respect of the Trustees of the Diocese of Perth". It was also reported that "there was a belief among some of the laity and clergy that should have resigned."
962:
1475:
460:
393:
984:
861:
573:
1364:
1064:
1212:
397:
written a policy called "Principles and
Procedures for Dealing with Accusations of Sexual Harassment" in 1993, but this had not been prepared with child sexual abuse allegations in mind.
1468:
1584:
433:
that he had developed a "much more realistic view" of the priesthood and hoped first-hand accounts from survivors would lead to widespread change within the
Anglican Church.
1461:
752:
1357:
602:
1205:
1350:
783:
416:. Herft reported that he had no recollection of specific allegations against Lawrence, who was later defrocked after having group sex with a teenage boy.
1624:
1604:
1589:
907:
846:
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219:
115:
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936:
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812:
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355:
202:
27:
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344:
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1503:
369:. Prior to this he was sub prelate of the order in Western Australia. On 1 September 2016, however, it was announced that
329:
94:
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36:
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56:
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817:
506:
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271:
813:"Roger Herft stands aside as Anglican Archbishop of Perth to 'focus' on sex abuse royal commission"
447:
409:
374:
1089:
318:
303:
291:
251:
184:
730:
574:"Former Perth Archbishop defrocked for failing to deal with child sex abuse allegations in NSW"
1441:
1388:
1313:
1105:
299:
223:
1542:
1252:
1557:
1537:
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868:
850:
425:
survivors in a way that remorse itself is a very poor emotion to express". Former
Premier
340:
84:
358:
in 2013 for service to the church, particularly interfaith relations and social justice.
1177:
1398:
1324:
1242:
1237:
968:
543:
438:
1036:"Perth Archbishop Roger Herft resigns after admitting to let down sex abuse survivors"
636:
1578:
1547:
1532:
1527:
1508:
1342:
1330:
1267:
1262:
1152:
473:
426:
362:
333:
74:
937:"Archbishop would not report abuse claims if victim's name not known, inquiry hears"
678:
1453:
1287:
1247:
1190:
1142:
267:
404:
The commission heard evidence that Herft had been informed of allegations against
1413:
1272:
1115:
985:"Former WA premier Richard Court backs Anglican Archbishop of Perth Roger Herft"
370:
295:
469:
290:
After working in parish ministry and prison chaplaincy, he was invited by the
230:
149:
247:
243:
188:
180:
259:
207:
461:
Royal
Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
394:
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
381:
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
343:
as Australia's first female Anglican bishop and consecrated her at
298:
to become a parish consultant in 1983. In 1986, Herft was elected
908:"Archbishop allegedly failed to report paedophile ring 'kingpin'"
1457:
1346:
1194:
1181:
729:
Cynthia McFarland; Brian Reid & Simon Sarmiento (1998).
484:
Herft is married to Cheryl and they have two adult sons.
963:"Anglican Archbishop Roger Herft 'told of abuse priest'"
784:"Blessing of History, as first woman bishop consecrated"
361:
On 11 May 2016, it was announced that he would succeed
677:. The Diocese of Newcastle, Australia. Archived from
605:. The University of Western Australia. Archived from
1517:
1491:
1428:
1381:
1306:
163:
158:
148:
140:
135:
108:
90:
80:
70:
62:
52:
42:
20:
961:
501:
499:
497:
306:; he was consecrated bishop on 28 October 1986.
567:
565:
538:
536:
534:
532:
530:
528:
332:and was installed on 11 June 2005, succeeding
302:, becoming one of the youngest bishops in the
1469:
1358:
1206:
930:
928:
675:Website of Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle
392:On 12 August 2016, Herft appeared before the
8:
1065:"Accused priest 'had his bishop's blessing'"
1011:"Statement by the Anglican Diocese of Perth"
671:"A Brief History of Christ Church Cathedral"
603:"Archbishop Roger Herft's migration odyssey"
313:, New South Wales, in 1992 and enthroned at
1429:Waikato & Taranaki (co-equal diocesans)
710:. The 1998 Lambeth Conference. 18 July 2008
401:unacceptable" as it left children at risk.
1585:20th-century Anglican bishops in Australia
1476:
1462:
1454:
1365:
1351:
1343:
1213:
1199:
1191:
1178:
1085:
324:In 2004, Herft was elected as the seventh
17:
317:in May 1993. He was chaplain of the 13th
262:, later training for the ministry at the
218:from 2005 to 2017. He was previously the
807:
805:
635:. The Diocese of Waikato. Archived from
472:. Herft was removed from Holy Orders by
493:
572:de Kruijff, Peter (13 December 2021).
1183:Links to Roger Herft-related articles
597:
595:
377:, had been appointed as the prelate.
7:
1438:Philip Richardson (Taranaki/W&T)
862:Government House, Western Australia
387:Australian Broadcasting Corporation
823:Australian Broadcasting Commission
759:. Diocese of Perth. Archived from
14:
1625:Members of the Order of Australia
1605:Sri Lankan emigrants to Australia
1590:21st-century Anglican archbishops
1009:Susan Harvey (15 December 2016).
983:Spagnolo, Joe (16 October 2016).
753:"Previous Bishops and Archbishop"
701:"Chaplains at the ready in Eliot"
633:Website of the Diocese of Waikato
436:On 10 January 2017 an article in
1610:Alumni of Royal College, Colombo
1485:Bishops and Archbishops of Perth
1222:Bishops of Newcastle (Australia)
356:Member of the Order of Australia
264:Theological College of Sri Lanka
206:(born 11 July 1948) is a former
906:Connolly, Anne (21 July 2016).
881:"Appointment of Great Officers"
757:Website of the Diocese of Perth
548:Website of the Diocese of Perth
61:
1421:, suffragan Bishop in Taranaki
733:. Society of Archbishop Justus
513:. Anglican Church of Australia
1:
1615:Anglican archbishops of Perth
782:Morris, Linda (23 May 2008).
330:Province of Western Australia
1063:Box, Dan (10 January 2017).
844:Archbishop of Perth website.
511:Anglican Church of Australia
212:Anglican Church of Australia
47:Anglican Church of Australia
1620:Anglican bishops of Waikato
935:Cox, Dan (12 August 2016).
365:as the next prelate of the
1646:
1630:Clergy removed from office
1375:of Waikato and of Taranaki
367:Venerable Order of St John
226:in New Zealand from 1986.
222:from 1993 to 2005 and the
1228:
1188:
1166:
1157:
1149:
1139:
1130:
1122:
1112:
1103:
1095:
1090:Anglican Communion titles
1088:
1015:Anglican Diocese of Perth
788:The Sydney Morning Herald
35:
867:29 February 2016 at the
731:"The Lambeth Conference"
629:"History of the Diocese"
454:Removal from Holy Orders
442:stated that in 1996 the
373:, formerly the Anglican
328:and Metropolitan of the
238:Early life and education
231:removed from Holy Orders
1382:Waikato (sole diocesan)
885:stjohninternational.org
658:ACANZP Lectionary, 2019
580:. Nine Entertainment Co
544:"Archbishops Biography"
315:Christ Church Cathedral
280:University of Serampore
1069:The Weekend Australian
849:17 August 2016 at the
1435:David Moxon (Waikato)
578:Sydney Morning Herald
459:who was found by the
385:On 21 July 2016, the
345:St George's Cathedral
254:). He studied at the
476:on 1 February 2022.
276:Bachelor of Divinity
272:Bachelor of Theology
1160:Archbishop of Perth
1133:Bishop of Newcastle
414:Newcastle Cathedral
375:Bishop of Leicester
326:Archbishop of Perth
311:Bishop of Newcastle
220:Bishop of Newcastle
216:Archbishop of Perth
116:Bishop of Newcastle
37:Archbishop of Perth
1044:. 16 December 2016
550:. Diocese of Perth
444:Bishop of Ballarat
319:Lambeth Conference
309:Herft was elected
304:Anglican Communion
292:Diocese of Waikato
252:Dominion of Ceylon
242:Herft was born in
199:Roger Adrian Herft
185:Dominion of Ceylon
1572:
1571:
1566:
1565:
1451:
1450:
1442:Helen-Ann Hartley
1419:Philip Richardson
1389:Cecil Cherrington
1340:
1339:
1314:Graeme Rutherford
1176:
1175:
1167:Succeeded by
1140:Succeeded by
1113:Succeeded by
1106:Bishop of Waikato
972:. 24 August 2016.
825:. 10 October 2016
763:on 31 August 2007
708:The Lambeth Daily
507:"Licensed Clergy"
354:Herft was made a
300:Bishop of Waikato
278:degrees from the
224:Bishop of Waikato
196:
195:
124:Bishop of Waikato
97:Western Australia
1637:
1543:Geoffrey Sambell
1478:
1471:
1464:
1455:
1367:
1360:
1353:
1344:
1253:Reginald Stephen
1215:
1208:
1201:
1192:
1179:
1150:Preceded by
1123:Preceded by
1096:Preceded by
1086:
1080:
1079:
1077:
1075:
1060:
1054:
1053:
1051:
1049:
1032:
1026:
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1000:
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980:
974:
973:
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951:
949:
947:
932:
923:
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920:
918:
903:
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892:
877:
871:
859:
853:
841:
835:
834:
832:
830:
809:
800:
799:
797:
795:
779:
773:
772:
770:
768:
749:
743:
742:
740:
738:
726:
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719:
717:
715:
705:
697:
691:
690:
688:
686:
667:
661:
655:
649:
648:
646:
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619:
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590:
589:
587:
585:
569:
560:
559:
557:
555:
540:
523:
522:
520:
518:
503:
351:on 22 May 2008.
339:Herft nominated
205:
177:
173:
171:
159:Personal details
109:Previous post(s)
98:
95:Metropolitan of
30:
18:
1645:
1644:
1640:
1639:
1638:
1636:
1635:
1634:
1575:
1574:
1573:
1568:
1567:
1562:
1558:Kay Goldsworthy
1538:George Appleton
1513:
1487:
1482:
1452:
1447:
1424:
1377:
1371:
1341:
1336:
1302:
1233:William Tyrrell
1224:
1219:
1184:
1172:
1170:Kay Goldsworthy
1163:
1155:
1145:
1136:
1128:
1118:
1109:
1101:
1084:
1083:
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943:
934:
933:
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914:
905:
904:
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879:
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874:
869:Wayback Machine
860:
856:
851:Wayback Machine
842:
838:
828:
826:
811:
810:
803:
793:
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781:
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750:
746:
736:
734:
728:
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723:
713:
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684:
682:
669:
668:
664:
656:
652:
642:
640:
627:
626:
622:
612:
610:
609:on 22 July 2008
601:
600:
593:
583:
581:
571:
570:
563:
553:
551:
542:
541:
526:
516:
514:
505:
504:
495:
490:
482:
456:
422:
406:Graeme Lawrence
383:
341:Kay Goldsworthy
288:
286:Clerical career
246:in what is now
240:
201:
192:
178:
175:
169:
167:
154:1 February 2022
144:28 October 1986
131:
96:
85:Kay Goldsworthy
31:
26:
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12:
11:
5:
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1436:
1432:
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1426:
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1423:
1422:
1416:
1411:
1406:
1401:
1399:Allen Johnston
1396:
1391:
1385:
1383:
1379:
1378:
1372:
1370:
1369:
1362:
1355:
1347:
1338:
1337:
1335:
1334:
1328:
1325:Sonia Roulston
1322:
1317:
1310:
1308:
1304:
1303:
1301:
1300:
1295:
1290:
1285:
1280:
1278:Alfred Holland
1275:
1270:
1265:
1260:
1255:
1250:
1245:
1243:George Stanton
1240:
1238:Josiah Pearson
1235:
1229:
1226:
1225:
1220:
1218:
1217:
1210:
1203:
1195:
1189:
1186:
1185:
1182:
1174:
1173:
1168:
1165:
1156:
1151:
1147:
1146:
1141:
1138:
1129:
1126:Alfred Holland
1124:
1120:
1119:
1114:
1111:
1102:
1097:
1093:
1092:
1082:
1081:
1055:
1027:
1001:
975:
969:The Australian
953:
924:
898:
872:
854:
836:
801:
774:
744:
721:
692:
662:
650:
639:on 15 May 2005
620:
591:
561:
524:
492:
491:
489:
486:
481:
478:
455:
452:
439:The Australian
421:
418:
382:
379:
287:
284:
270:. He received
239:
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44:
40:
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25:
21:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
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1628:
1626:
1623:
1621:
1618:
1616:
1613:
1611:
1608:
1606:
1603:
1601:
1600:Living people
1598:
1596:
1593:
1591:
1588:
1586:
1583:
1582:
1580:
1559:
1556:
1554:
1551:
1549:
1548:Peter Carnley
1546:
1544:
1541:
1539:
1536:
1534:
1533:Robert Moline
1531:
1529:
1528:Henry Le Fanu
1526:
1524:Charles Riley
1523:
1522:
1520:
1516:
1510:
1509:Charles Riley
1507:
1505:
1502:
1500:
1497:
1496:
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1479:
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1472:
1467:
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1395:
1392:
1390:
1387:
1386:
1384:
1380:
1376:
1368:
1363:
1361:
1356:
1354:
1349:
1348:
1345:
1332:
1331:Charlie Murry
1329:
1326:
1323:
1321:
1318:
1315:
1312:
1311:
1309:
1305:
1299:
1296:
1294:
1293:Greg Thompson
1291:
1289:
1286:
1284:
1281:
1279:
1276:
1274:
1271:
1269:
1268:James Housden
1266:
1264:
1263:De Witt Batty
1261:
1259:
1256:
1254:
1251:
1249:
1246:
1244:
1241:
1239:
1236:
1234:
1231:
1230:
1227:
1223:
1216:
1211:
1209:
1204:
1202:
1197:
1196:
1193:
1187:
1180:
1171:
1162:
1161:
1154:
1153:Peter Carnley
1148:
1144:
1135:
1134:
1127:
1121:
1117:
1108:
1107:
1100:
1094:
1091:
1087:
1070:
1066:
1059:
1056:
1043:
1042:
1037:
1031:
1028:
1016:
1012:
1005:
1002:
990:
986:
979:
976:
971:
970:
964:
957:
954:
942:
938:
931:
929:
925:
913:
909:
902:
899:
886:
882:
876:
873:
870:
866:
863:
858:
855:
852:
848:
845:
840:
837:
824:
820:
819:
814:
808:
806:
802:
789:
785:
778:
775:
762:
758:
754:
748:
745:
732:
725:
722:
709:
702:
696:
693:
681:on 7 May 2008
680:
676:
672:
666:
663:
659:
654:
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624:
621:
608:
604:
598:
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592:
579:
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568:
566:
562:
549:
545:
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537:
535:
533:
531:
529:
525:
512:
508:
502:
500:
498:
494:
487:
485:
479:
477:
475:
474:Philip Freier
471:
465:
462:
453:
451:
449:
446:at the time,
445:
441:
440:
434:
430:
428:
427:Richard Court
419:
417:
415:
411:
408:who had been
407:
402:
398:
395:
390:
388:
380:
378:
376:
372:
368:
364:
363:Jack Nicholls
359:
357:
352:
350:
346:
342:
337:
335:
334:Peter Carnley
331:
327:
322:
320:
316:
312:
307:
305:
301:
297:
293:
285:
283:
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1414:David Moxon
1409:Roger Herft
1404:Brian Davis
1283:Roger Herft
1273:Ian Shevill
1258:George Long
1116:David Moxon
1099:Brian Davis
891:2 September
584:18 December
371:Tim Stevens
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128:(1986–1993)
120:(1993–2005)
71:Predecessor
22:Roger Herft
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1307:Assistants
1164:2005-2017
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488:References
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790:. Fairfax
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66:2005–2017
63:In office
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1041:ABC News
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150:Laicized
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