Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Five priests quit college council after Cardinal loses confidence

Five Catholic priests quit the council of St John's College at the University of Sydney last night as the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal Pell, and the NSW Premier, Barry O'Farrell, voiced their disgust over the initiation ritual scandal, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Mr O'Farrell said he would consider changes to the Saint John's College Act 1857. "I will not allow the behaviour of a few to tarnish the global reputation of the University of Sydney," he said.

"While any changes would need to be approved by cabinet, I am more than willing to work with Cardinal Pell in his efforts to reform the college's culture."

Cardinal Pell said in a media statement that he no longer had confidence that the council was able to fix the problems within the elite college at the university. The mass resignation of the five priests from the 18-person council has left it powerless to continue to govern.

Cardinal Pell called on the government to change the laws governing St John's in a move that could mean the church cedes sole control of the 150-year-old institution.

''Unfortunately, I no longer have confidence in the capacity of the council of St John's College to reform life at the college, despite their goodwill and the dedication of the chairman,'' he said. ''I have therefore requested the priest Fellows of the council to resign.''

It is understood Cardinal Pell spoke with the council chairwoman, Christine Liddy, and the vice-chancellor of the university, Michael Spence, on Tuesday afternoon and told them of his position.

Cardinal Pell's actions follow Fairfax Media reports that the 150-year-old college has descended into anarchy, with widespread vandalism, furniture being smashed and set on fire and faeces routinely found in common rooms, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

And eight months after a student collapsed and was taken to hospital following an initiation ritual, it was revealed that first-year students were still being forced into similar situations including the consumption of toxic drinks.

Yesterday it was also revealed that a senior student lied to ABC television as part of a plan to fight the allegations of bad behaviour.