Coronavirus Closes Churches While Councils Fight to Stay Open

BY MEGHAN RICHARDSON

As the Coronavirus situation continues to evolve, many local organisations and councils have been forced to review their regular programs and events.

The reshuffle follows after the federal government announced that "non-essential" gatherings of more than 100 people are banned.

Many religious organisations have said they will close their doors to keep their followers safe.

This includes the mosque at Wallsend which has suspended regular services until further notice.

Similarly, Catholic and Anglican churches reported they will also shutting down and temporarily stopping all Sunday services.

However, religious schools in the area are to remain open.

Catholic Schools around Newcastle and Maitland said they will stay open until the 9th of April.

While Anglican schools around the Hunter have stated they are currently open but continue to evaluate the situation daily.

The Coronavirus has also threatened to close many local community events and activities.

Newcastle council said Blackbutt Reserve's bushland will remain open, but services requiring staff to interact with the public are suspended.

Meanwhile, Maitland City Council has addressed the uncertainty and said all council facilities will remain open but public programs across the libraries, pools, and art gallery have been suspended.

The council also announced that the annual Street Eats event is still set to go ahead on April 3rd, but the event will be split across several sites in order to promote social distancing.

New Anglican Bishop of Newcastle Commits To Culture Of Change

BY IAN CROUCH

The incoming Anglican Bishop of Newcastle says the church is committed to a culture of change following the release of findings from the Royal Commission into child sexual abuse by clergy and lay people.

The report found the church hierarchy failed to show leadership and displayed  a "do nothing" approach to paedophile priests, allowing perpetrators to get away with their crimes.

Bishop Peter Stuart addressed the media and apologised to the victims who suffered at the hands of paedophile priests.

"I want to speak directly to them - you were let down as children and you and your families were let down when you came forward to speak of your experience," he said.

Bishop Stuart said the church has instituted a professional standards system which includes senior police to ensure people indentified as perpetrators of abuse are disciplined.

Bishop Peter Stuart Addresses The Media Picture: theherald.com.au

Newcastle Anglicans Come To Terms With Arrest Of Former Dean Of Christ Chrurch Cathedral

BY IAN CROUCH

Members of the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle are still coming to terms with the arrest of former Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Graeme Lawrence.

Officers from Strike Force Arinya went to the 75-year-old's Kotara home on Tuesday and took him to Waratah Police Station where he was charged with sexually abusing a 15-year-old boy in 1991.

Graeme Lawrence served as Dean of the Cathedral for 24 years from 1984 until 2008, but was defrocked in 2012 following a church disciplinary hearing.

In an email sent to members of the church on Tuesday night, Dean Katherine Bowyer acknowledged Lawrence's arrest would raise concerns for parishioners.

A special pastoral meeting has been arranged to support church members.

Former Dean of Christ Church Cathedral Graeme Lawrence picture: theherald.com.au

Graeme Lawrence Giving Evidence At The Royal Commission Into Child Sex Abuse In The Anglican Diocese Of Newcastle. Picture ABC

Anglican Bishop of Newcastle resigns

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Anglican Bishop of Newcastle announced his resignation from the role this morning.

Bishop Greg Thompson resigns after 38 years with the church and three years serving the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle as Bishop.

"It's made a significant impact on my life and certainly my personal story is affected by that as well as the important work of trying to put in place a proper culture that acknowledges the harm that its done and the change that we need to put into support survivors," said Bishop Greg.

The Anglican Diocese of Newcastle and Bishop Peter Stuart believe Bishop Greg led the Diocese to greater health, and called into question actions of the past which has shaped a healthy future.

Since the end of the Royal Commission's Case Study 42 on the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle, Bishop Greg says change is underway in Newcastle, but his priority now is his own health.

"The last day of the case study I was the last witness it that and that had a huge impact [on me], and I think it's been a break to think through those issues that have come into my life and address them in the best way I can - to try and have a break and I will continue to do that."

The decision certainly wasn't an easy one to make, but Bishop Greg has enjoyed many of his roles within the church and thinks now is the perfect time to resign and look after himself.

Bishop Greg Thompson. [Picture Maitland Mercury]

Newcastle Royal Commission Switches To Catholic Church

BY IAN CROUCH

 The Royal Commission into alleged Child Sex Abuse cover-ups will switch it's focus from the Anglican Church to the Catholic Diocese of Maitland Newcastle today.

The commission will look into how the church handled allegations leveled at Father Vincent Ryan and Marist Brothers, Francis Cable (also known as Brother Romuald) and Thomas Butler (also known as Brother Patrick).

The public hearing will run until at least Friday week, while the investigation into the Anglican Church will resume in November.

Child Abuse Hearing Begins In Newcastle

BY IAN CROUCH

 The Royal Commission into child sex abuse has begun a public hearing in Newcastle today.

The hearing will look at how the Anglican Church handled abuse claims made against priests and church workers in the Hunter dating back to the 1970's.

Eight bishops and archbishops will be among those giving evidence, along with survivors and relatives of victims.


The hearing is expected to run for two weeks before the Royal Commission turns its attention to the Catholic Church.