Last updated: 7am, 6th August, 2021 (AEST)
Hillsong co-founder Brian Houston has been charged over the alleged concealment of information about child sexual abuse offences.
Police in the Australian state of New South Wales said in a statement that officers attached to The Hills Police Area Command in Sydney commenced an investigation in 2019 into reports a 67-year-old man had knowingly concealed information relating to child sexual offences.
Brian Houston.
“Police will allege in court the man 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.”
Detectives served Mr Houston’s legal representatives with a court attendance notice on Thursday which requires him to appear in Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney on 5th October.
In a statement, Brian Houston said: “These charges have come as a shock to me given how transparent I’ve always been about this matter. I vehemently profess my innocence and will defend these charges, and I welcome the opportunity to set the record straight.”
Hillsong Church said in a statement it was “disappointed that Pastor Brian has been charged, and ask that he be afforded the presumption of innocence and due process as is his right”.
“He has advised us that he will defend this and looks forward to clearing his name. Given that this matter is now before the court, neither Pastor Brian or Hillsong Church will be making further statements. We thank all who are a part of our church for their support and prayers at this time.”
