An Albion Park Catholic priest has been stood down from public ministry after an independent investigation found him guilty of “professional misconduct”.
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The Wollongong Diocese refused to give details about the nature of the allegation against Father Richard Healey, but stressed it was neither “criminal in nature nor child-related”.
Father Healey, the parish priest at St Paul’s Catholic Church, accepted the finding and was now receiving “comprehensive professional support”.
The Mercury first contacted the Wollongong Diocese on September 3 after reports Father Healey had been moved out of the church community in a “swift and unexplained” manner.
But before responding to Mercury requests for information, a Diocese spokesman said on Friday it was important for the “parish community to be afforded the right to hear it from the Dioecese first before reading about it in the newspaper”.
On Sunday, vicar general Father Bernard Gordon delivered a message in person at all Masses in Albion Park about the circumstances surrounding Father Healey being placed “on leave from all public ministry” six weeks earlier.
A copy of the message was emailed to parents at St Paul’s Catholic Parish Primary School and St Joseph’s Catholic High School in Albion Park on Monday.
Speaking on behalf of Bishop Brian Mascord who is attending meetings in Rome, Father Gordon said an adult person came forward and made an allegation against Father Healey “in relation to his behaviour”.
“The allegation was neither criminal in nature nor child-related,” Father Gordon said. “However, it constituted professional misconduct and a breach of the protocols of the Church in the documents: Integrity in Ministry and Towards Healing.”
Father Healey was removed from all active ministry pending an independent investigation which was “recently finalised”.
“The findings sustain the allegation made against him,” Father Gordon said.
“Fr Healey has accepted responsibility for his behaviour and is now engaged in comprehensive professional support.”
Father Healey will remain on leave from active ministry, “and Bishop Mascord will keep you informed of any changes to this situation should they arise”.
Father Gordon acknowledged the “courage” of the person who came forward.
“I also want to acknowledge the cooperation of all parties with the independent investigation,” he said. “Both parties have agreed to my coming here today to explain these matters to you.
“They have asked that their privacy be protected, and no further information be publicly disclosed at this time.”
When asked for more detail about the nature of the allegations, a spokesman for the Diocese said: “This is not an issue of transparency with respect to the Church, it is about our obligations under the Privacy Act to only disclose the information consented to by both parties involved.
“Accordingly, we make no further comment.”