A Professional Standards Board is convened from a panel appointed by Bishop in Council when a matter is referred to it by the Professional Standards Committee following the receipt of information about the conduct of a member of clergy and an investigation by the Committee.
The purpose of the Board is to determine whether examinable conduct has occurred and make a recommendation(s) to the Bishop about the fitness for office or to remain in Holy Orders of any member of the clergy who has engaged in such conduct.
Determinations
Matter of the conduct of the Honourable Pat Comben AO
On 20th February 2026 a Professional Standards Board found that The Honourable Pat Comben AO who was Registrar and General Manager of the Diocese from 2004 to 2010 had engaged in examinable conduct and recommended to the Bishop that he be deposed from Holy Orders. The Right Reverend Dr Murray Harvey, Bishop of Grafton, accepted the Board’s recommendation.
Following an independent review of the determination, Pat Comben will now be deposed from Holy Orders by The Most Reverend Jeremy Greaves, Archbishop of Brisbane.
A copy of the Bishop’s notification and reasons for his decision – Notice of Decision