Former governor general Peter Hollingworth dies at 91

Josh Taylor

Former governor general and Anglican archbishop of Brisbane, Peter Hollingworth, has died at the age of 91.

Hollingworth was appointed Australia’s 23rd governor general by the Howard government in June 2001. He stood down less than two years later following controversy around his handling of church sexual abuse reports.

Hollingworth had been Anglican archbishop of Brisbane for 11 years from 1990, and in 2003, a board of inquiry into the handling of complaints of sexual abuse found that Hollingworth failed to act on knowledge of sexual abuse and allowed two clergy to remain in the church despite knowing they had sexually assaulted children.

In a statement, the current Anglican archbishop of Brisbane, The Most Reverend Jeremy Greaves said:

Anglican Church of Southern Queensland acknowledges with deep regret the past failings of the church.

Anglican Church of Southern Queensland apologises unreservedly to those who have suffered abuse, distress, isolation, and harm caused by the Church’s failure to respond with integrity and care when it was needed most.

Hollingworth himself was not accused of abuse. He previously acknowledged he made mistakes, and apologised.

Hollingworth said previously he considered his failings almost every day but his actions were influenced by the advice of church lawyers and insurance companies at the time.