ADELAIDE'S Anglican Archbishop Ian George has been given an ultimatum to stand aside by 2pm today or lose the support of another key church body.
The Adelaide Diocesan Council has voted to publicly withdraw support from Dr George unless he volunteers to step down.
It does not have the power to sack Dr George, which can only be done at the church Synod meeting on Thursday. The council is one of the most powerful organisations in the church, made up of its most senior members and lay representatives.
Dr George yesterday remained defiant, ignoring a growing barrage of criticism and demands from within and outside the church for him to resign.
Dr George refused to even make any public comment about the crisis which has engulfed the church, despite mounting pressure on his leadership and criticism of his handling of sex abuse cases.
When approached, Dr George appeared upbeat and unconcerned about calls for him to stand aside yesterday and ignored a deadline set by Acting Premier Kevin Foley of 5pm yesterday for him to resign. "I'm not making any comment thanks. I can't," he said as he emerged from his North Adelaide home yesterday morning to take his dog to a Rose Park vet.
"I'm just looking after the dog this morning. I've had such a good relationship with you guys over the years. All the best."
A senior church source told The Advertiser Dr George's supporters were urging him to remain in the position at least until the church's Synod in eight days, to test opinion within the church.
Members of the church hierarchy were yesterday told to refer questions to public relations firm Michels Warren, hired to manage the crisis.
Spokesman David Williams could not answer any questions.
"They won't be saying anything to anybody," he said. The church hierarchy also avoided public scrutiny, with those contacted by The Advertiser refusing to either support or criticise Dr George's leadership.
But the two anti-sex abuse campaigners lauded by Dr George as being responsible for bringing pedophiles to the attention of the church added their weight to a campaign for him to go.
The Reverend Andrew King supported a decision of the church's Professional Standards Committee, which The Advertiser revealed yesterday had resolved on Tuesday night to ask for Dr George to stand aside while it investigated the church's handling of an independent report on abuse. "If he is asked by the Professional Standards Committee then he should stand aside," he said.
Mr King was critical of the fact that while the committee had the power to take powers from the clergy, it had no power over bishops. "I think it is a matter of natural justice that there is consistency," he said.
The Reverend Don Owers supported the comments. "I'd agree and that clearly is what the Professional Standards Committee believes as well," he said.
Member of the Professional Standards Committee Stephen Clarke yesterday renewed the committee's call for Dr George to stand aside.
Prominent Anglican and Liberal MP Mark Brindal said Mr Foley should stay out of church affairs, pointing out that the independent report had highlighted that abuse by a priest, of homeless boys in a city shelter, had been ignored when reported to a government department.
"I am very distressed that the Premier should have anything to say about people's religious practices," he said.
Mr Foley said he would not be taking the issue further. "I think I have said enough already."
Dr George yesterday had the support of the head of the Anglican Church in Australia, Archbishop Peter Carnley. He said he saw no reason why Dr George should resign and believed the Professional Standards Committee had exceeded its brief in wanting him to stand aside.
"I've skimmed the (independent) report and as I understand, Archbishop George is mentioned in the report for some failures of process," Archbishop Carnley said. "I cannot find any suggestion in the report that he had licensed, or continued the license, of priests who were thought to be pedophiles or anything like that."
Parish leaders contacted by The Advertiser were divided on whether Dr George should resign.
While most were concerned at the way the church had dealt with allegations of child abuse, most were cautious about speaking. Some, however, felt it would be best if he did stand down.
The Reverend Christopher Myers, of St John Parish, Adelaide, said: "I support and respect the man, but I must admit with the report he is not coming out all that well.
"He has to weigh up the situation . . . I think it's better for the church if he stepped down."
Although supporting Dr George, Alberton parish's Reverend Michele Chambers said she was "devastated" about the number of allegations of sexual abuse.
"I'm horrified that in the church I love so much that this could go on undetected," she said.
"I can't say I'm happy with the way the diocese has handled it. "I'm very upset that it's happened and that we didn't know it was happening."
But she supported Dr George's handling of the abuse reports. "I don't think he should resign. I see no reason to be ashamed of his behaviour," she said.