Peter Hollingworth, Australia’s former Governor-General and Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane, has died at the age of 91.
Hollingworth served as Australia’s 23rd Governor-General after being appointed by the government of John Howard in 2001. His tenure, however, became one of the most controversial in modern Australian history, ending less than two years later amid growing criticism over his handling of church sexual abuse cases during his time in the Anglican Church.
A controversial legacy
Before entering the nation’s highest vice-regal office, Hollingworth served as Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane for 11 years, from 1990 to 2001.
In 2003, an official board of inquiry found that Hollingworth failed to adequately respond to allegations of child sexual abuse within the Church and allowed two clergy members accused of abusing children to remain in ministry despite being aware of the accusations.
Hollingworth himself was never accused of abuse. Over the years, he acknowledged making mistakes and publicly apologised, while also arguing that many of his decisions had been shaped by the legal and insurance advice provided to church authorities at the time.
He once said he reflected on those failures “almost every day”.
Church apology renewed after his death
Following the announcement of his passing, the current Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane, Jeremy Greaves, issued a statement recognising the Church’s historical failures.
“The Anglican Church of Southern Queensland acknowledges with deep regret the past failings of the Church,” the statement said.
“The Church apologises unreservedly to those who suffered abuse, distress, isolation and harm caused by the Church’s failure to respond with integrity and care when it was needed most.”
A figure who divided Australia
Peter Hollingworth’s death is likely to reignite debate about accountability, institutional responsibility and the failures of religious organisations in protecting vulnerable children.
To some Australians, Hollingworth will be remembered as a compassionate church leader deeply committed to social justice and poverty issues. To others, he remains a symbol of an era in which institutions failed victims of abuse.
His resignation in 2003 marked one of the most dramatic constitutional and political crises involving a Governor-General in Australia’s modern history
