Prosecutor Alleged that Hillsong's Brian Houston Built a Culture of Silence to Prevent the Reporting of His Father's Crime
Former Hillsong leader and the megachurch's founder Brian Houston is back in court today. Houston, 69, has pleaded not guilty to one count of concealing the serious indictable offence of another person, arguing he was merely abiding by the wishes of his father's victim by not going to police. He argues that from September 1999 until his father's death in 2004, he had a "reasonable excuse" not to go to police because of the man's unwillingness to come forward.
The court has heard that Brett Sengstock was sexually assaulted by Frank Houston, who was staying at his family's Coogee home in Sydney's eastern suburbs, while on a preaching tour of Australia.
Today in presenting in closing address, Crown prosecutor Gareth Harrison argued that Houston has built a culture of silence, where church leaders are taught not talk to the police about his father's crimes. That culture allowed Houston to become "the only conduit of information" between the Assemblies of God national executive and the person his father abused.
"If it was his only focus to protect the church, he would tell as few people as possible, would he not?" Magistrate Gareth Christofi asked.
"Whatever he told these people, he knew they weren't going to go to the police," Mr Harrison said.
"Not one of these people mentioned the police. That just demonstrates absolutely the culture of this church was to keep it in-house, don't go outside the church.
"With that confident knowledge, he was able to conceal this from the police."
An "entrenched reverence" towards Pentecostal founding father Frank Houston also fostered protection, Crown prosecutor Gareth Harrison said on Thursday. "It was in this setting ... the accused knew he could control the narrative and protect the church and his father," Mr Harrison said in closing submissions to Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court.
The closing submissions resume on Friday.
Tags : Hillsong Frank Houston Brian Houston brian houston news hillsong church
Hot Trends
-
Former Avalon Singer Michael Passons Says He Was Let Go Because of His Sexuality
-
Bethel Music's Kalley Returns with New Song Three Years After Daughter's Death
-
Here Are Lyrics to Tauren Wells' "Making Room"
-
Sam Bowman Reveals the Reasons Behind His New EP's Title "Legend of Max"
-
2020 Marks A Season of Change for Southern Raised
-
Anna Golden's "Take It to Jesus" Offers Help To Those Who Are Suffering from Depression
-
Devotional Message: Stevie Wonder Was Right About Superstition
-
Anna Golden Responds to the Suffering of Her Friend with "Take It to Jesus"
-
Hillsong Worship Reveals Tracklisting and Cover of New Album "Awake"
-
Joy Williams Reveals the Real Reason Behind Civil War's Breakup
-
Perry LaHaie Goes Personal As He Talks About Pain, Loss & "Tears This Side of Eden"
-
LeFevre Quartet Signs with Daywind Records
-
Uche Agu on His Life Journey, Worship in Africa, and "The Glory Experience"
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
Mosaic MSC “Human” Album Review
Most Popular
-
Former Avalon Singer Michael Passons Says He Was Let Go Because of His Sexuality
-
Bethel Music's Kalley Returns with New Song Three Years After Daughter's Death
-
Here Are Lyrics to Tauren Wells' "Making Room"
-
Sam Bowman Reveals the Reasons Behind His New EP's Title "Legend of Max"
-
2020 Marks A Season of Change for Southern Raised
-
Anna Golden's "Take It to Jesus" Offers Help To Those Who Are Suffering from Depression
-
Devotional Message: Stevie Wonder Was Right About Superstition
-
Anna Golden Responds to the Suffering of Her Friend with "Take It to Jesus"
-
Hillsong Worship Reveals Tracklisting and Cover of New Album "Awake"
-
Joy Williams Reveals the Real Reason Behind Civil War's Breakup
-
Perry LaHaie Goes Personal As He Talks About Pain, Loss & "Tears This Side of Eden"
-
LeFevre Quartet Signs with Daywind Records
-
Uche Agu on His Life Journey, Worship in Africa, and "The Glory Experience"
-
The Tragic End of Kingdom Heir's Founder Steve French
-
Mosaic MSC “Human” Album Review