Sydney Auxiliary Bishop Richard Umbers has stood aside from his public duties as the Church investigates a claim of historical abuse. Source: Daily Telegraph.
In a statement attached to Bishop Umbers’ online biography on the Sydney Archdiocese website, Vicar-General Fr Samuel Lynch confirmed the archdiocese “has received notice of a civil claim of historical abuse” and Bishop Umbers, 54, had been “identified as the subject of this claim”.
“Bishop Umbers emphatically denies the allegation,” the statement read.
“In accordance with its obligations, the archdiocese has notified the relevant authorities of the complaint.
“In conformity with the archdiocesan protocol for managing safeguarding complaints and relevant legislation, Bishop Umbers has agreed to stand aside from public ministry while this allegation is investigated.”
NSW Police were “not aware” of the allegations and “there is no current investigation”.
New Zealand-born, Bishop Umbers was Australia’s youngest bishop when he was appointed as one of Sydney’s auxiliary bishops in 2016 by the late Pope Francis, having previously held chaplaincy roles at Opus Dei private school Redfield College and UNSW’s Warrane College.
His biography on the Sydney Archdiocese’s website states that he “regularly addresses gatherings of youth” and “has an interest in social media”.
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Sydney Catholic Bishop Richard Umbers stands back from public duties amid abuse investigation (By Eilidh Sproul-Mellis, Daily Telegraph)
