Episcopal Standards Board

The Episcopal Standards Board determines questions relating to the conduct of a bishop referred to it by the Episcopal Standards Commission. The Board may direct outcomes ranging from an order that the bishop be counselled to the bishop being deposed from holy orders.

The Board is convened as required from a panel of members elected by the General Synod.

The Episcopal Standards Board is governed by a number of Canons of the General Synod:

Episcopal Standards Canon 2007
Episcopal Standards (Child Protection) Canon 2017
Special Tribunal Canon 2007 – amended 2017
Offences Canon 1962 – amended 2017

Episcopal Standards Commission report on Roger Herft

The Episcopal Standards Commission provided a report to the Board in 2020, referring questions relating to the conduct of Roger Herft while serving as Bishop of Newcastle.  The questions relate to his response to allegations of child sexual abuse by clergy while he was Bishop of Newcastle.

The Episcopal Standards Board convened to consider this report is:

Mr Peter Dunning QC – Deputy President
The Right Reverend Dr Ian Coutts
The Right Reverend William Ray
Mrs Vivien Bleby
Ms Michelle England

A hearing into the matter was conducted on Tuesday 21 September 2021.

Publication of the Episcopal Standards Board’s Determination in relation to the Episcopal Standards Commission referral concerning Roger Herft – 8 December 2021

The Episcopal Standards Board determination is available here.

The Most Reverend Geoffrey Smith, Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia provided this statement in response to the Episcopal Standards Board determination on 13 December 2021.

Further enquiries
Any enquiries can be directed to the Secretary to the Episcopal Standards Board.
Email:  gsoffice@anglican.org.au

Media enquiries can be referred to the Primate’s Media Officer.
Mr Bill Condie
Mobile:  0405 862 785
Email:  media@adelaideanglicans.com