A British vicar sexually abused young girls in the UK before later moving to Australia, a church-commissioned investigation has found.
Rev Kesh Govan, 50, took his own life in November after allegations of sexual misconduct involving girls at a youth group were “substantiated”.
An independent investigation commissioned by the Anglican Church in Southern Queensland later concluded he had groomed and sexually abused girls in a UK youth group before emigrating.
The report found the abuse took place during his ministry in the Diocese of Lichfield, before he moved to Australia, but said there was no evidence he offended while serving there.
Govan, known as the Singing Vicar, was born in Bolton, Greater Manchester, and converted from Hinduism to Christianity after an illness in his early twenties.
The report said parishioners in Brisbane were “provided with a confidential pathway for people to come forward if they, or someone they know was groomed or sexually abused by Govan”.
It added: “The Govan family, who had no knowledge of Govan’s sexual abuse of children prior to his death, and the St Stephen’s, and All Saints communities have also been offered free confidential counselling and support.”
Most Rev Jeremy Greaves, Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane, said: “On behalf of the church, I would like to issue a sincere and complete apology to the survivors of Govan’s child sexual abuse.
“Over the past decade, the church, both in Australia and the United Kingdom, has strengthened its policies, procedures, and protocols. However, it must do better.
“The evidence detailed within the independent investigation report has been shared with authorities in Australia and the United Kingdom.”
The Dioceses of Manchester and Lichfield said the findings were “deeply distressing, above all for those who have experienced abuse, and also for families, friends and communities”.
It has urged anyone affected to contact safeguarding teams.
