The Community was established by Mr Kevin Horgan and Mr Frank Carr in 1979. Recently Mr Horgan has resigned/stood down and his behaviour reported to police. Mr Carr and Mr Dudley have stood down from all leadership positions in the Community.
The Role of Kevin Horgan and the Church in
Bethel’s History.
Early Days
Bethel Covenant Community, now based in West Leederville
near the city of Perth, grew from the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the late
70’s.In its early days it was
full of enthusiasm and a number of positive fruits were evident.There were significant events that
reflected well on the Renewal and the Community such as city wide conferences
and involvement with other groups and parishes.As the structures of Bethel developed however, so did the
strictures and the control of members, begin to grow.Young people were told not to date, whom they should marry,
not to associate with others outside the group and were required to share the
intimate details of their lives.
It is generally accepted, even by those having a passing
relationship with Bethel, that its leader Mr Kevin Horgan and his abusive
personality, caused major divisions in relationships with other groups
particularly with the Renewal.Following complaints from other leaders, like Mr Bob Campbell and Mrs
Rita Murphy and a significant number of diocesan priests, Archbishop Foley took
immediate action and told the Community to withdraw from any leadership role in
the Renewal.This move created
space for the effects of Mr Horgan’s dictatorial behaviour to be less intense
and for the Prayer Meetings to pursue their own goals.
What also soon became obvious to people who were not blinded
by the hype, was that Mr Horgan and his second in command Mr Frank Carr, were
intent on creating their own empire and had carved out a luxurious and
comfortable life style for themselves to the detriment of many.People in Bethel were required to tithe
ten percent of their gross salary and contribute their time and effort to a
variety of fundraising activities.At Community cost, Mr Horgan built an office on the side of his house
and refurnished adjacent rooms.The office contained a bar fridge, liquor cabinet, TV and VCR etc to
allow him to do most of his ‘counselling’ work from home.Although he regularly spoke about and
signed himself as a Psychologist, he in fact had a minor BA qualification in
Human Development from Murdoch University.
Even though Bethel had approved statutes with Rome and the
new Archbishop Barry Hickey, its general acceptance in the church of Perth and
the broader community, sank to an all time low.The Community was generally regarded as elitist, closed and
arrogant.From its initial three
hundred plus numbers of the late 1970s, Bethel began a dramatic decline.The last person to join Bethel did so
in 1999 and has now left.Current
numbers (over 18) are under eighty and in light of recent events many are
currently considering their future.
Middle Years
Once the excitement of the earlier years had found its
natural level, people began to ask serious questions.In 1994, following a series of complaints regarding the
coercion and control applied to the people of Bethel, from many of the leaders
of Catholic communities in Australasia; a group of Community members sent a
comprehensive report to Fr Chris Ross, the Archbishop’s liaison priest, and to
Archbishop Hickey.They expressed
their concerns regarding the multitude of cases of intrusive control and
interference in every aspect of their lives, the cavalier approach to proper
sexual attitudes and the manipulation of the direction in which the Community
was heading.Others reported to
the authorities the obvious lack of transparency in financial matters, the
manipulation of the Community’s relationship with the Church and the
hierarchy’s apparent lack of willingness to address the obvious concern of
members regarding their right to a free and informed conscience.
Fr Ross was asked to do a review.Unfortunately, he was not independent and had neither the
capacity nor the ability to see the lobbying that went on behind the scenes
which ensured that only positive opinions and experiences of Community members
were forwarded.Mr Horgan urgently
flew back to Perth in the middle of one of his many overseas trips, to control
the bias of the review.Archbishop
Hickey eventually proclaimed that Mr Horgan had nothing to worry about, as he
could find nothing wrong with the Bethel Community!Most people were stunned.Those who had compiled the report, including two former
priests, two former religious sisters, a psychiatrist, two doctors and a
teacher, left Bethel.Many
Catholics, who had some connection to Community members or were aware of what
had been going on, could not understand why Archbishop Hickey would support a
structure and an environment that was almost universally known to be
destructive and damaging.
People began to leave Bethel some of them severely damaged
and in need of professional counselling.Relationship with the other Catholic communities throughout Australasia
where at best frosty and the denigration by Mr Horgan and Mr Carr of those who
had tried to bring about some renewal of the original vision, was intense.Over the next decade many other people
came forward to register their concerns at what was happening in Bethel.People spoke to Fr Ross or Archbishop
Hickey and other church personnel.One young lady said publicly, that when she told Fr Ross that she had been
groped by Mr Horgan, he told her that she wouldn’t win and might as well leave
the Community where she had grown up.Many of the victims of this type of sexual harassment could get no
redress and in most cases they sadly left.This was a most difficult decision as the Community was an
intense and extremely committed lifestyle and the shunning and the defamatory
manner in which they were spoken about, was hurtful and painful.Some eventually went to cult
councillors and others required serious psychiatric treatment.
Recent Times
In 2007, personal accounts alleging sexual impropriety by Mr
Horgan began to resurface.These
stories involved the fact that he had done before and after inspections
(viewing and touching) of about a dozen women who he had encouraged to have
breast enhancement surgery.There
were numerous examples of him groping women, feeling them up, stripping them
down to their underwear in his office, a continuing parade of aggressive and
controlling behaviour towards people and a series of new complaints about money
matters.
Following a process of referral to the Elders of the
Community, Fr Ross, The Vicar General and to Ps Adrian van Leen from Concerned
Christian Groth Ministries, reports were compiled and in May 2007, were
forwarded to the Auxiliary Bishop of Perth, Donald Sproxton.After showing initial concern, Bishop Sproxton
asked for further reports that clarified the existing structure of Bethel and
what changes could be made to reverse the decline and possibly create some hope
for the future.Even with this
input, he spent some six months considering his options. Eventually in frustration a number of
people approached the Professional Standards Resource Group in the Catholic
Church.The PSRG’s report is still
pending.Its recommendations will
be under scrutiny by a wide variety of Catholics and Christians of other
denominations.
Bishop Sproxton then began interviewing members from a list
compiled by Mr Horgan.At the same
time others were telling their stories to the PSRG.Early in 2008, a number of other serious allegations
arose.Accounts of serial abuse surfaced
and Peter Dudley, the other remaining Elder, realising that the writing was on
the wall, went to the Bishop demanding action.Mr Dudley, who had for years with Mr Carr sought to cover up
Mr Horgan’s indiscretions and had voted to isolate those who tried to bring the
truth into the light, became the ‘great white hope’.Following a blood letting event, where member expressed
their absolute horror, disappointment and anger at Mr Horgan and Mr Carr, they
were stood down as Elders and Mr Horgan and his wife were dismissed from Bethel
Complaints were made to the Western Australian Police
Department’s Sex Assault Squad and they began conducting interviews.The decision whether to prosecute is
pending.Meanwhile the new leaders
of the Community are making positive strides to try to repair the damage done
by twenty five years of greed, control and abuse.The questions concerning the Catholic Church’s inaction and
lack of concern for Bethel’s people is still to be addressed.
He said that it would be detrimental to his position, if he had to be concerned with the basic support of his family. He did not think that he should have to consider having to get a second job, or where the money was going to come from to feed his large family. He was expecting to entertain overseas and interstate people and needed to do this in a way that was a positive reflection on the Community.
Why did the Community stop having visitors a long time ago? Lets face it, who would want to pay to come to Perth to receive 'wisdom' from KH?
Did KH have any justification to keep the large salary?
KH was pedantic and very exacting when it came to the behaviour of others. Was he the same of himself? Frank Carr would often say that, KH would intensively change his behaviours with affirmations when there was an issue.
How often did he apply rigorous standards to himself? Or was he above things like this?
How often did he fill in leave forms? Long Service Leave forms? How often did he fill in time sheets? How often, in the last many years, has been at the office for any time other than the occasional 'counselling' session? The times he has been playing golf was this worktime? Was this activity approved by the Elders? Was his countless hours of being massaged contribute to his 'pastoring' work? Or was it grooming?
When is KH going to stand up, get the balls, to publicly recognise his sin and ask for forgiveness and then offer restitution? Does he call sin, sin, when it applies to himself.
KEVIN HORGAN WHEN YOU READ THIS, GROW UP AND BE A MAN, A MAN OF GOD. I remember that you used to give teachings on this very topic. Kevin I don't think that you can do it.
I've got to thank you for the energy you are putting into this process. I had to take a "break" from blogging this week as I've found it to be quite exhausting. But you seem to be able to keep going.
Thank you for posting this take on the history of bethel. It is very good and someone has obviously taken time and care to compile it. I'm grateful for what I see to be a healthy level of diplomacy in your accounts (maybe others will disagree with me on this point-?). I think this is very important. I hope that more people read it and contribute to it as time goes on.
For what it's worth, I support this statement on the history of Bethel and reinforce the importance of outcomes to the work of the PSRG and the sexual assault department of the WA police. Again, I hope that others can add to the document to increase it's accuracy and level of detail. Thanks also to the person who originally prompted for a historical account.
I think reading a narrative that is more closely aligned to the reality of Bethel is a significant step towards coming to terms with what has happened.
What is apparent is that here is a person with a very powerful gift to attract and persuade people. In the beginnning it was a force for good but it soon became a tool for bad. How so many clever, kind, thoughtful, courageous people could never individually or in a group or through outer powers like the Church expose his glaring faults even though many have tried to do so over the past 20 years is very, VERY sobering. I would say I have a powerful personality but up against Kevin and when speaking to his wife and people still in community..I had NO affect on him or anything- in fact he only got worse and worse. He is scarily sick but so lucid and able to speak with such clarity that he honestly could talk his way out of any police interrogation..probably by using one of his most famous tools.."Yes it's easy to see my sin but let's get back to yours! My minions have told me you have a problem with having your bum pinched- you're just not FREE!" Someone with such a prodigious ego and yet so clever at using spiritual terms to cover up, deflect and attack others...I'm sure he and Frank and Peter think they are repenting of any pain they have caused but even now are probably feeling "People don't understand us...everyone is soooo hung up about sex and boobs- they have the problem not us..we're FREE!!!"
Why are Peter and Frank still involved with the running of Bethel? Are they being watched? or is stuff going missing in Kevin's direction? What about Kevin's assets - is there a watch on them or are they too being hidden under other's names. They have already proved NOT worthy of our trust - so why are they getting given chances to get rid of stuff?
Bethel needs to crumble - as long as they try to keep it running the cover up will continue. Only when it is disbanded will people be free to speak out. Look at this website for example - we are all too afraid to even state who we are. Why? Because we know the vitriolic response we will get from the brainwashed group still there.
Remember when KH couselled men and women into getting their Vasectomies and Tubual Ligations reversed, so that they could "Go to God whole"? Then he has the women having boob jobs!!!!!! Is that going to God whole? All for the sake of pleasing their men! My husband loves me for me! Not for the size of my boobs!. How Can you all have been so Stupid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What about the millions of lamingtons you made and sold
Remember all the functions that the elders groups had that we served at - I think that children of the Elders have a great view of community as it involved them being treated like royalty while the rest of us "served". Looking back, I am strongly reminded of Orwell's Animal Farm! As for the elders wives - inflated idea of themselves and always offering "wisdom" which was nothing more than keeping women in their place.
Ex-Bethel - even if I had been treated like "royalty" as you say, I would not envy the position of any of the children of the elders. You may be able to leave community and everything it represents, but what if you had to leave your parents like we are leaving community now?
They are victims just as much as any one else in this situation.
Comments
The Role of Kevin Horgan and the Church in Bethel’s History.
Early Days
Bethel Covenant Community, now based in West Leederville near the city of Perth, grew from the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the late 70’s. In its early days it was full of enthusiasm and a number of positive fruits were evident. There were significant events that reflected well on the Renewal and the Community such as city wide conferences and involvement with other groups and parishes. As the structures of Bethel developed however, so did the strictures and the control of members, begin to grow. Young people were told not to date, whom they should marry, not to associate with others outside the group and were required to share the intimate details of their lives.
It is generally accepted, even by those having a passing relationship with Bethel, that its leader Mr Kevin Horgan and his abusive personality, caused major divisions in relationships with other groups particularly with the Renewal. Following complaints from other leaders, like Mr Bob Campbell and Mrs Rita Murphy and a significant number of diocesan priests, Archbishop Foley took immediate action and told the Community to withdraw from any leadership role in the Renewal. This move created space for the effects of Mr Horgan’s dictatorial behaviour to be less intense and for the Prayer Meetings to pursue their own goals.
What also soon became obvious to people who were not blinded by the hype, was that Mr Horgan and his second in command Mr Frank Carr, were intent on creating their own empire and had carved out a luxurious and comfortable life style for themselves to the detriment of many. People in Bethel were required to tithe ten percent of their gross salary and contribute their time and effort to a variety of fundraising activities. At Community cost, Mr Horgan built an office on the side of his house and refurnished adjacent rooms. The office contained a bar fridge, liquor cabinet, TV and VCR etc to allow him to do most of his ‘counselling’ work from home. Although he regularly spoke about and signed himself as a Psychologist, he in fact had a minor BA qualification in Human Development from Murdoch University.
Even though Bethel had approved statutes with Rome and the new Archbishop Barry Hickey, its general acceptance in the church of Perth and the broader community, sank to an all time low. The Community was generally regarded as elitist, closed and arrogant. From its initial three hundred plus numbers of the late 1970s, Bethel began a dramatic decline. The last person to join Bethel did so in 1999 and has now left. Current numbers (over 18) are under eighty and in light of recent events many are currently considering their future.
Middle Years
Once the excitement of the earlier years had found its natural level, people began to ask serious questions. In 1994, following a series of complaints regarding the coercion and control applied to the people of Bethel, from many of the leaders of Catholic communities in Australasia; a group of Community members sent a comprehensive report to Fr Chris Ross, the Archbishop’s liaison priest, and to Archbishop Hickey. They expressed their concerns regarding the multitude of cases of intrusive control and interference in every aspect of their lives, the cavalier approach to proper sexual attitudes and the manipulation of the direction in which the Community was heading. Others reported to the authorities the obvious lack of transparency in financial matters, the manipulation of the Community’s relationship with the Church and the hierarchy’s apparent lack of willingness to address the obvious concern of members regarding their right to a free and informed conscience.
Fr Ross was asked to do a review. Unfortunately, he was not independent and had neither the capacity nor the ability to see the lobbying that went on behind the scenes which ensured that only positive opinions and experiences of Community members were forwarded. Mr Horgan urgently flew back to Perth in the middle of one of his many overseas trips, to control the bias of the review. Archbishop Hickey eventually proclaimed that Mr Horgan had nothing to worry about, as he could find nothing wrong with the Bethel Community! Most people were stunned. Those who had compiled the report, including two former priests, two former religious sisters, a psychiatrist, two doctors and a teacher, left Bethel. Many Catholics, who had some connection to Community members or were aware of what had been going on, could not understand why Archbishop Hickey would support a structure and an environment that was almost universally known to be destructive and damaging.
People began to leave Bethel some of them severely damaged and in need of professional counselling. Relationship with the other Catholic communities throughout Australasia where at best frosty and the denigration by Mr Horgan and Mr Carr of those who had tried to bring about some renewal of the original vision, was intense. Over the next decade many other people came forward to register their concerns at what was happening in Bethel. People spoke to Fr Ross or Archbishop Hickey and other church personnel. One young lady said publicly, that when she told Fr Ross that she had been groped by Mr Horgan, he told her that she wouldn’t win and might as well leave the Community where she had grown up. Many of the victims of this type of sexual harassment could get no redress and in most cases they sadly left. This was a most difficult decision as the Community was an intense and extremely committed lifestyle and the shunning and the defamatory manner in which they were spoken about, was hurtful and painful. Some eventually went to cult councillors and others required serious psychiatric treatment.
Recent Times
In 2007, personal accounts alleging sexual impropriety by Mr Horgan began to resurface. These stories involved the fact that he had done before and after inspections (viewing and touching) of about a dozen women who he had encouraged to have breast enhancement surgery. There were numerous examples of him groping women, feeling them up, stripping them down to their underwear in his office, a continuing parade of aggressive and controlling behaviour towards people and a series of new complaints about money matters.
Following a process of referral to the Elders of the Community, Fr Ross, The Vicar General and to Ps Adrian van Leen from Concerned Christian Groth Ministries, reports were compiled and in May 2007, were forwarded to the Auxiliary Bishop of Perth, Donald Sproxton. After showing initial concern, Bishop Sproxton asked for further reports that clarified the existing structure of Bethel and what changes could be made to reverse the decline and possibly create some hope for the future. Even with this input, he spent some six months considering his options. Eventually in frustration a number of people approached the Professional Standards Resource Group in the Catholic Church. The PSRG’s report is still pending. Its recommendations will be under scrutiny by a wide variety of Catholics and Christians of other denominations.
Bishop Sproxton then began interviewing members from a list compiled by Mr Horgan. At the same time others were telling their stories to the PSRG. Early in 2008, a number of other serious allegations arose. Accounts of serial abuse surfaced and Peter Dudley, the other remaining Elder, realising that the writing was on the wall, went to the Bishop demanding action. Mr Dudley, who had for years with Mr Carr sought to cover up Mr Horgan’s indiscretions and had voted to isolate those who tried to bring the truth into the light, became the ‘great white hope’. Following a blood letting event, where member expressed their absolute horror, disappointment and anger at Mr Horgan and Mr Carr, they were stood down as Elders and Mr Horgan and his wife were dismissed from Bethel
Complaints were made to the Western Australian Police Department’s Sex Assault Squad and they began conducting interviews. The decision whether to prosecute is pending. Meanwhile the new leaders of the Community are making positive strides to try to repair the damage done by twenty five years of greed, control and abuse. The questions concerning the Catholic Church’s inaction and lack of concern for Bethel’s people is still to be addressed.
I remember KH justifying his substantial salary.
He said that it would be detrimental to his position, if he had to be concerned with the basic support of his family. He did not think that he should have to consider having to get a second job, or where the money was going to come from to feed his large family. He was expecting to entertain overseas and interstate people and needed to do this in a way that was a positive reflection on the Community.
Why did the Community stop having visitors a long time ago? Lets face it, who would want to pay to come to Perth to receive 'wisdom' from KH?
Did KH have any justification to keep the large salary?
Of course not.
Was he the same of himself? Frank Carr would often say that, KH would intensively change his behaviours with affirmations when there was an issue.
How often did he apply rigorous standards to himself? Or was he above things like this?
How often did he fill in leave forms? Long Service Leave forms? How often did he fill in time sheets?
How often, in the last many years, has been at the office for any time other than the occasional 'counselling' session?
The times he has been playing golf was this worktime? Was this activity approved by the Elders?
Was his countless hours of being massaged contribute to his 'pastoring' work? Or was it grooming?
When is KH going to stand up, get the balls, to publicly recognise his sin and ask for forgiveness and then offer restitution?
Does he call sin, sin, when it applies to himself.
KEVIN HORGAN WHEN YOU READ THIS, GROW UP AND BE A MAN, A MAN OF GOD. I remember that you used to give teachings on this very topic.
Kevin I don't think that you can do it.
I've got to thank you for the energy you are putting into this process. I had to take a "break" from blogging this week as I've found it to be quite exhausting. But you seem to be able to keep going.
Thank you for posting this take on the history of bethel. It is very good and someone has obviously taken time and care to compile it. I'm grateful for what I see to be a healthy level of diplomacy in your accounts (maybe others will disagree with me on this point-?). I think this is very important. I hope that more people read it and contribute to it as time goes on.
For what it's worth, I support this statement on the history of Bethel and reinforce the importance of outcomes to the work of the PSRG and the sexual assault department of the WA police. Again, I hope that others can add to the document to increase it's accuracy and level of detail. Thanks also to the person who originally prompted for a historical account.
I think reading a narrative that is more closely aligned to the reality of Bethel is a significant step towards coming to terms with what has happened.
Remember when KH couselled men and women into getting their Vasectomies and Tubual Ligations reversed, so that they could "Go to God whole"? Then he has the women having boob jobs!!!!!! Is that going to God whole? All for the sake of pleasing their men! My husband loves me for me! Not for the size of my boobs!. How Can you all have been so Stupid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What about the millions of lamingtons you made and sold
They are victims just as much as any one else in this situation.