Former governor-general and retired Anglican archbishop Peter Hollingworth has died at the age of 91. His passing occurred in Melbourne on Tuesday morning, a fact confirmed to the ABC by the Archbishop of Brisbane, Jeremy Greaves. Reports indicate that Hollingworth had been unwell for an extended period.
A life of service and controversy
Born in 1935, Hollingworth was ordained as an Anglican priest in 1960. His career included notable achievements: he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1976, named Australian of the Year in 1991, and served as Australia's 23rd governor-general from 2001 to 2003.
Resignation amid scandal
Hollingworth resigned from the governor-general role following controversy over his handling of sexual abuse claims against Anglican clergy during the 1990s. The scandal overshadowed his earlier accomplishments and led to his departure from the vice-regal position.
Further details about his life and legacy are expected to emerge in the coming days.
