THE Anglican Diocese of Bathurst remains tightlipped over whether its parishes have raised the funds to defend a lawsuit against the Commonwealth Bank.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
As of October, St Barnabas had fulfilled its $75,000 contribution to the fighting fund, but Holy Trinity had only supplied a quarter of the $128,000 asked of it.
Bishop Ian Palmer said he could not provide an updated total for Holy Trinity’s contribution, saying it had provided funds as costs arose.
“Across the diocese, we are meeting the targets we require for legal costs,” he said.
“We have only ever asked for the money when we need to pay the bills and we are continuing to deal with matters on a day-by-day basis.”
He described parishioners as “incredibly supportive.”
“I have received a great amount of support as I have gone around the diocese,” he said.
The bank is seeking almost $40 million owed by the defunct Anglican Development Fund.
Internal costs, such as $100,000 to be set aside for professional standards issues including the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse, have added to pressures.
Financial difficulties have led to Bishop Palmer doubling as a parish priest in Dubbo in an effort to find cost savings.
Hearings start on April 13 in the Supreme Court.
danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au