Archbishop to Deliver Formal Apology to Abuse Survivor at Brisbane Cathedral
In a significant and long-awaited development, the most senior Anglican official in Queensland, Archbishop Jeremy Greaves, will offer a formal apology to abuse survivor Beth Heinrich during a special Evensong service at St John's Cathedral in Brisbane on 22 March. This act represents a crucial milestone in Heinrich's persistent, decades-long campaign for accountability and justice within the church.
A Survivor's Decades-Long Fight for Justice
Beth Heinrich was abused as a young girl by Anglican priest Donald Shearman, who is now deceased. Her quest for an apology has been a central focus of her advocacy, which has also highlighted the controversial handling of her case by former Brisbane archbishop Peter Hollingworth. Hollingworth, who later served as Australia's 23rd governor general, was found to have failed to act to remove Shearman from the church despite being aware of the abuse.
Heinrich's ordeal was compounded in 2002 when Hollingworth, while governor general, suggested during an ABC television interview that the then 14-year-old Heinrich had instigated a sexual relationship with the married priest. "When I finally recovered from the psychological shock from the disdainful way I was treated in 95 and 96 ... I became so angry," Heinrich recalls. "I thought they're not going to treat me like this. I'm going to keep at them."
The Apology and Its Broader Implications
Notes for the upcoming service, obtained by media, confirm that Archbishop Greaves will "deliver an apology to Beth Heinrich for failures made by former Archbishop Peter Hollingworth in the handling of her abuser, deposed bishop Donald Shearman." While Heinrich has received apologies from less senior church officials in the past, this marks the first such gesture from an archbishop, carrying substantial symbolic weight.
Heinrich emphasises that her motivation extends beyond personal closure. "I just hope the publicity will be a benefit to others, give them the courage to do something about it," she states, expressing a desire to inspire fellow survivors to pursue justice. She views the apology not as an endpoint but as a potential catalyst for broader change within the church and society.
Hollingworth's Role and Recent Church Findings
Peter Hollingworth, who served as Anglican archbishop of Brisbane from 1989 to 2001 and as governor general from 2001 to 2003, resigned from the latter role amid mounting criticism over his handling of sexual abuse allegations. In 2023, a delayed internal church process found him guilty of misconduct for failing to remove Shearman and another abuser from the church's ranks during his tenure. The church also reprimanded him for his insensitive comments about Heinrich.
Hollingworth has previously acknowledged his mistakes, stating, "I made mistakes and I cannot undo them. But I committed no crimes. There is no evidence that there was any abuse because of any decisions I made, or did not make." He attributed his actions to being "unduly influenced by the advice of lawyers and insurance companies" at the time, noting his limited experience with child abuse issues despite a career dedicated to social justice.
Following the misconduct findings, Hollingworth voluntarily returned his permission to officiate, acknowledging that his continued presence in the church was a "cause of pain to survivors" and seeking to "end distress to them, and division within the church."
Looking Forward: Impact and Support
The upcoming apology service at St John's Cathedral is poised to draw significant attention, highlighting ongoing issues of accountability and survivor support within religious institutions. Archbishop Greaves' office did not respond to requests for comment, but the event underscores a shifting approach to historical abuse cases in Australia.
For survivors and advocates, this moment serves as a reminder of the importance of persistent advocacy and the potential for institutional change. Support services remain available, including the Kids Helpline, Bravehearts, and the Blue Knot Foundation for adult survivors, emphasising the continued need for resources and compassion in addressing abuse.
