Ballarat’s Anglican bishop, under investigation over complaints of bullying, has taken sick leave amid indications he may resign soon.
Bishop Michael Hough has appointed a Melbourne assistant bishop, Philip Huggins, to take temporary charge of Ballarat, with the blessing of Melbourne Archbishop Philip Freier.
It is extremely unusual for a senior priest from within the diocese not to take charge in the bishop’s absence, but The Age believes that divisions in Ballarat run so deep that no internal candidate was deemed acceptable to Bishop Hough’s supporters and critics.
If the laity are standing up to this (alleged) “Wolf in Shepherd’s Clothing” than I say “Alleluia!”