The embattled Anglican Bishop of the Murray, Ross Davies, has resigned the day before he was due to face a church disciplinary hearing according to a report in “The Australian” newspaper. The issue centres on his handling of sexual misconduct allegations against his archdeacon Peter Cooke.
The Australian states: Bishop Davies, who is on sick leave, was given a $150,000 payment for "certain expenses", including legal fees, by his diocese. The announcement of his resignation was read to parishioners yesterday.
Bishop Davies was due to face a Special Tribunal today (Sept 27) on nine internal charges alleging disgraceful conduct, wilful violation of church ordinances and wilful and habitual disregard of the consecration vow, but is not expected to attend the hearing.
Bishop Davies resigned on Friday and tried to relinquish his holy orders on Saturday.
His resignation brings to an end a turbulent time for the bishop, who has faced calls to stand down over his handling of sexual misconduct allegations against his archdeacon, Peter Coote, and his conduct towards priests and lay workers.
An internal church report in 2005 found that allegations that Mr Coote had behaved inappropriately towards three women were "credible", but Bishop Davies did not respond except by referring Mr Coote to a counsellor.
Bishop Davies stood down Mr Coote as archdeacon after The Australian revealed the complaints in July 2007.
Yesterday, Anglican Archbishop of Adelaide Jeffrey Driver said that Bishop Davies had decided to resign after a "long period of illness".
Archbishop Driver said while Bishop Davies had resigned, he remained on sick leave.
"I wish Bishop Ross and Christine (his wife) well as they move into a new phase of life together and I continue to pray for the Diocese of the Murray as it moves through a time of transition," he said.
Murray Diocese administrator Richard Seabrook said in a statement: "The clergy and people of the Diocese of the Murray wish Bishop Ross well for the future, particularly regarding his health and we pray for his health to be restored."
Archbishop Driver said the tribunal would consider Bishop Davies' resignation when it meets today.
"It lies with the tribunal itself to determine how it deals with these matters from here," he said.
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In July it was reported that Bishop Davies wrote a letter to Diocese of the Murray Synod members saying he was not guilty and that he could not afford to pay a lawyer to represent him.
He was reportedly offered $50,000 towards his legal costs by the Synod on the condition that he step down as bishop while the tribunal was sitting but he refused.
Bishop Davies was unable to be contacted for comment
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