by Madeleine Collins
Clergy applying for ordination in the Sydney Diocese will have their privacy invaded under tough questioning about past misconduct, Philip Gerber, Director of the Diocese of Sydney’s Professional Standards Unit, has admitted.
But he says it is an invasion of privacy ‘we had to have’.
Mr Gerber spoke in defence of Sydney’s rigorous screening to check personal histories of incoming clergy, which was criticised last month following an article about the procedure in The Australian.
Since 1997 every candidate applying to be licensed in the Diocese must consent to sign a confidential Statutory Declaration questionnaire as part of their ordination selection procedure.
Candidates are asked to state whether they have had major traffic convictions, gambling or pornography addictions or child abuse allegations made against them. The questionnaire is used for screening and disciplinary purposes.
Sexual history, association with the occult and animal abuse convictions are also under scrutiny in the eight-page document.
Policy makers have added more questions in response to recent recommendations by the General Synod Working Committee aimed at weeding out potential child sex abusers.
The questionnaire is in addition to child protection police checks required under NSW law.
Mr Gerber says the sharper questioning is part of the ongoing response to the sex abuse saga surrounding the then Archbishop of Brisbane, and former Governor General, Peter Hollingworth.
“People accept that we’ve got to screen. We’re glad it’s come to attention,” Mr Gerber said. “Our feedback is that people want there to be screening. We anticipate a wide acceptance.”
Other dioceses are expected to agree to recommendations about a more unified approach to child protection screening at General Synod in October.
Mr Gerber says overseas evidence shows there is a correlation between the breaking of boundaries, such as financial impropriety, and misconduct in other areas.
The furore over the screening comes at a time when the number of new candidates for ordination is at a record high.
