Explained: Why was Brian Houston taken to court and why did he quit Hillsong?
By 
Tim Wyatt2023-08-23T10:01:00
Brian Houston has been cleared over charges arising from his decision not to report his paedophile father to police. But the former Hillsong leader is no longer part of the global church network he built. Tim Wyatt has the full story
The founder and former senior pastor of Hillsong Church, Brian Houston, has been found not guilty of trying to cover up his father’s sexual abuse of children after a trial in Australia.
The judgement brings to an end a long-running saga which saw Brian and his wife Bobbie fired from their roles as Global Senior Pastors of Hillsong last year.
Houston had always maintained his innocence and has characterised his prosecution and downfall at Hillsong as a form of persecution, despite a series of serious allegations of misconduct and ethical failings while leading Hillsong.
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