The Bishop of Grafton has accepted a Professional Standards Board recommendation that the Hon. Patrick Comben AO be deposed from Holy Orders, following a review that dismissed his challenge to the finding. The decision, dated 16 Sept 2026, ends Comben’s eligibility to exercise ordained ministry in the Anglican Church of Australia and requires the outcome to be recorded on the national register.

Bishop of Grafton the Rt. Rev. Murray Harvey said the decision followed an investigation, a two-day Board hearing in December 2025, and an independent review conducted by Carol Webster SC. Comben, who now lives in the Diocese of Brisbane, was represented by counsel and gave evidence under oath at the hearing.

The Board’s recommendation concerned Comben’s conduct while he was Registrar and General Manager of the Diocese of Grafton from 2004 to 2010. He had been ordained deacon in the Diocese of Brisbane in November 2000.

In his notice of decision, Bishop Harvey said the Board had found “convincing evidence” of inappropriate and unreasonable conduct or omission across five matters involving the Diocese’s response to claims and to serious allegations of sexual and other abuse of children.

The Board found Comben failed to ensure that complaints were properly investigated and that persons facing allegations, including clergy, were held to account. It also concluded that he improperly undertook functions assigned to the Director of Professional Standards, creating a conflict with his duties as diocesan registrar and general manager.

The Board further found that the defenses advanced by Comben did not exonerate him from responsibility for the deficiencies identified. It said his “complete absence of insight” into those deficiencies left it without confidence that he would meet the standards required of a member of the Church’s ordained ministry if presented with similar circumstances.

Comben sought a review on 17 March 2026, contending that the Board had denied him natural justice, failed to observe procedural requirements, and reached a conclusion no reasonable Board could have made.

An independent reviewer, Carol Webster SC, was appointed on the recommendation of the President of the NSW Bar Association. Bishop Harvey received her determination on 14 Sept 2026 dismissing the application, leaving the Board’s findings and recommendation in force.

Under the Holy Orders (Removal from Exercise of Ministry) Canon 2017, the Bishop advised the relevant bishop of his decision on 16 September. Once enacted, the decision prevents Comben from officiating as priest or deacon, holding himself out as clergy, or holding offices reserved to those in Holy Orders.

The matters arise against the background of the Diocese of Grafton’s response to historical abuse claims connected with the North Coast Children’s Home in Lismore. The home was the subject of Case Study 3 of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which heard evidence of sexual, physical and psychological abuse of children between 1940 and 1985. 

The Royal Commission heard that former residents began pursuing a group claim against the Diocese in 2006. Contemporary reporting said the Diocese disputed legal responsibility, while complainants sought compensation and acknowledgement of the abuse they had suffered. 

Comben previously relinquished Holy Orders during the Royal Commission’s 2013 public hearing. News reports in 2015 said he was removed from Holy Orders over related matters, while reports in 2017 stated he had been restored to Holy Orders after a church review process.

Bishop Harvey said the Diocese was “especially mindful” of survivors who had brought the matters forward and had waited a long time for a resolution. He said the process had to balance the interests of those involved with responsibility to clergy and church workers who had served faithfully.

“Any failure by a deacon or priest to report abuse when they become aware of it, breaches the standards of the Church and must call into question their fitness for office,” Bishop Harvey said. He added that the public nature of the decision was intended to demonstrate the care taken in disciplinary cases and to help clergy reflect on what the Church expects of them.

The Diocese said it remained committed to hearing survivors, supporting their healing, and strengthening safeguards for children and vulnerable people.