Death of Peter Hollingworth sparks difficult feelings for abuse victim
The death of former governor-general Peter Hollingworth has elicited mixed reactions, particularly from abuse survivors. While some praised his contributions, others criticized his handling of child abuse allegations during his tenure as an Anglican leader. Hollingworth's legacy is viewed as complex, reflecting both his advocacy for social justice and significant misjudgments regarding abuse cases.
- ▪Peter Hollingworth, former governor-general of Australia, died at the age of 91.
- ▪He faced criticism for his failure to act on child sex abuse claims during his time as Archbishop of Brisbane.
- ▪Abuse survivor Beth Heinrich described him as a 'sad example of a man' who did not deserve his accolades.
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Death of former governor-general Peter Hollingworth sparks difficult feelings for church child abuse victimBy Ned Hammond and Will MurrayTopic:Governors-General and State GovernorsWed 20 May 2026 at 3:51pmWed 20 May 2026 at 3:51pmWed 20 May 2026 at 3:51pmFormer governor-general Peter Hollingworth died on Tuesday, aged 91. (AAP: Rob Blakers)abc.net.au/news/former-governor-general-peter-hollingworth-death-reactions/106700678Link copiedShareShare articleThe death of former governor-general Peter Hollingworth has attracted polarised reactions with former prime minister John Howard praising his "strong Christian faith" and an abuse survivor saying he was a "sad example of a man".Dr Hollingworth, who was appointed as governor-general by Mr Howard in 2001, spent 11 years leading the Brisbane…
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