Hillsong Founder Brian Houston Charged for Allegedly Concealing Fathers Child Sexual Abuse
The founding pastor of Hillsong Church in Australia, Brian Houston, has been charged with allegedly covering up information about his fatherâs child sexual abuse offenses.
Officers with the New South Wales Police Force announced the charges against the 67-year-old Houston on Thursday as part of an investigation that has been ongoing since 2019, according to The Guardian.
âPolice will allege in court the man 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,â the department stated.
BREAKING: Hillsong founder Brian Houston has been charged by NSW Police over concealing child sex offences in the 1970s. â¦@9NewsAUSâ© pic.twitter.com/gi1kNVMDAy
â" Chris O'Keefe (@cokeefe9) August 5, 2021
Houston, who has been living in the U.S. in recent months, said the charges against him came âas a shock ⦠given how transparent Iâve always been about this matter.â
âI vehemently profess my innocence and will defend these charges and I welcome the opportunity to set the record straight,â he said.
The church, for its part, explained in a post it is âdisappointed that Pastor Brian has been charged,â asking that he âbe afforded the presumption of innocence and due process, as is his right.â
Hillsongâs statement went on to explain Houston has informed the church âhe will defend this and looks forward to clearing his name.â
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âWe thank all who are part of our church for their support and prayers at this time,â the church leadership stated.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Houston is required to appear at Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney on Oct. 5.
What's The Background?
The Pentecostal pastorâs father, Frank, who was also a minister, has been accused of abusing nine underage boys while he was a pastor. The elder Houston, it should be noted, passed away in 2004.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse concluded the Hillsong founder failed to report his fatherâs abuse after he confessed to it in 1999.
Brett Sengstock has said he was abused by the elder Houston for more than five years in the 1960s and â70s. Sengstock has condemned Brian Houstonâs handling of the issue and accused him of covering up his dadâs sins.
In a blog post published July 23, Hillsong stated Brian Houston didnât know about his fatherâs criminal action against Sengstock until he was 45 and the alleged victim was 37. The church alleged, ânumerous other pastors and individuals had knowledge of this matter prior to Brian Houston learning about it.â
âUpon being told of his fatherâs actions, Brian Houston confronted his father, reported the matter to the National Executive Assemblies of God in Australia, relayed the matter to the governing board of Sydney Christian Life Centre, and subsequently made a public announcement to the church,â the church stated. âBrian sought to honor the victimâs multiple requests not to inform the police.â
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