(Pastor Brian Houston)
The global senior pastor of Hillsong Church, Brian Houston, has stepped down from his position following accusations that he was silent in the sexual abuse offense committed by his father about a decade ago. He added that he will not be present in the church through out 2022.
Houston told the church in a statement on Sunday saying, “Last year, I received unexpected news of charges against me that allege the concealing of information that may have been material to prosecute Frank Houston. These allegations came as a shock to me, and it is my intention to vigorously defend them. So I have agreed to step aside from all ministry responsibilities until the end of the year.”
The Associated Press had announced that the Australian police in August 2021 was charging Houston with “concealing child sex offenses." It added that Police will allege in court that Houston knew information relating to the sexual abuse of a young male in the 1970s and failed to bring that information to the attention of police.
Initially, when Houston got the charges, he expressed surprise and said, “These charges have come as a shock to me given how transparent I’ve always been about this matter. I vehemently profess my innocence and will defend these charges, and I welcome the opportunity to set the record straight.
"However, my external legal counsel advised that it would be ‘best practice’ for me to step aside completely from church leadership during the court proceedings. I intend to fight the charge and welcome the opportunity to set the record straight."
The new interim global pastors will be Phil and Lucinda Dooley
“The Dooleys are well-loved by many in our church, having successfully served as our youth pastors in Australia for many years. Over the last 13 years they, with their family, have resided in South Africa and have raised up a phenomenal multi-campus Hillsong Church,” Houston said.
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