The passing of Dr Peter Hollingworth

Dr Peter John Hollingworth was an Australian bishop who served as Governor-General of Australia from 2001 until his resignation in 2003, resigned, in the wake of controversy over his role in handling sex abuse allegations in the Anglican Church. 

He had previously held the position of Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane from 1989 to 2001.

An Anglican church inquiry found Dr Hollingworth failed to remove late paedophile priests Donald Shearman and John Elliot from the ministry, despite knowing they had sexually assaulted children.

He died in Melbourne on Tuesday, aged 91.

Noel Debien joins ABC TV to explain the impact and significance of a cleric's appointment to Governor General.

Noel Debien is a religion expert and editor of Radio National's Religion and Ethics Unit