Brian Houston of Hillsong Church Steps Down: concealing Sexual Offence?

Hillsong Church founder and pastor Brian Houston is facing criminal charges of concealing child sex offences and he is stepping down from his role on various church boards in order to allow them to “function to their fullest capacity”.

He was charged by police last month with concealing child sex offenses and is set to appear in court in October. The incident allegedly took place during the 1970s. The famous pastor said he was “shocked” by the charges and is innocent.

In his words: “I … wanted to let you know that I’ve made a decision to step aside from my role on the Hillsong Church boards that oversee the governance of our operations. I did this so that these boards can function to their fullest capacity during this season. This doesn’t change my role as Global Senior Pastor. I thought it was important to let our church family know in the interests of transparency, and I wanted you to hear it from me directly”.

Police said in August they will “allege in court” that Houston “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”.

Houston, 67, said he believed the charges may be related to allegations that his father abused a boy in the 1970s.

He advised his church that he will defend the allegation and looks forward to clearing his name.