Hollingworth's death: a legacy of betrayal, not honor
The passing of Peter Hollingworth, former Governor-General of Australia, has reignited a painful chapter in the nation’s history – one marked by the systemic failure to protect children from sexual abuse and the subsequent shielding of perpetrators. For Beth Heinrich, the survivor whose decades-long fight for justice exposed Hollingworth’s complicity, his death offers little solace, only a stark reminder of a system that prioritized reputation over the well-being of vulnerable individuals.
A priest's protection, a nation's blindness
Heinrich, abused as a young girl by Anglican priest Donald Shearman, has relentlessly pursued accountability for both Shearman and Hollingworth, then Archbishop of Brisbane, who failed to act on complaints regarding Shearman’s behavior. Hollingworth’s legacy remains deeply controversial, with some conservative figures, including former Prime Minister John Howard, attempting to salvage his image by highlighting his work combating child poverty and his devout Anglican faith. But Heinrich’s perspective cuts through such attempts at rehabilitation. “The man himself,” she stated to Guardian Australia, “is a sad example of a priest who was given awards and honors he did not deserve and he never learned.”
The turning point arrived in March when Queensland Archbishop Jeremy Greaves formally apologized for Hollingworth’s failings in handling Shearman’s case – a belated acknowledgment of a profound betrayal of trust. But for Heinrich, an apology from the pulpit is insufficient; she sought, and finally received, a recognition of the harm inflicted, not just by the abuser, but by the institution that enabled him.
What Heinrich finds particularly galling is Hollingworth’s public vilification of her in 2002, appearing on ABC television and suggesting she had instigated the relationship with the married priest. As Heinrich pointed out, “Despite having 25 years of experience at the Brotherhood of St Laurence, he was a fully trained counsellor. He was a priest, he was a father of girls, but he chose to go on national television and vilify me and victim-blame a child.” The sheer audacity of victim-blaming on a national platform underscores the depth of Hollingworth’s moral failings.
Beyond apologies: a national imperative
Chris Goddard, a child protection expert and adjunct professor at the University of South Australia, condemned Hollingworth’s ABC comments as “just the most extraordinary public accusation and humiliation.” He added, “He actually said he didn’t think it was child abuse, it was the other way around. He further victimized the victim and rewarded the perpetrators. He abused Beth on national television.” Goddard’s involvement in preparing Heinrich’s testimony for the royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse highlights the extensive evidence of systemic failures.
Hollingworth’s death serves as a stark reminder that, a decade after the royal commission, Australia still lacks a cohesive national approach to child protection. As Cathy Kezelman, president of the Blue Knot Foundation, emphasized, “We’re still struggling to get consistency around… the various different state legislations… I think the response for survivors in terms of services has still got a very fragmented service system that’s hard to navigate.” The patchwork of state laws and inconsistent reporting procedures mirrors the fragmented response to abuse within the Anglican Church itself.
While Hollingworth’s family has requested a “fair and respectful” account of his life, Heinrich’s unwavering pursuit of justice and Goddard’s expert analysis expose a legacy far more complex than the family’s carefully crafted narrative. The enduring truth remains: Peter Hollingworth will be remembered not for his contributions, but for his profound failure to protect the most vulnerable among us.