Australian Pastor Refuses Resignation Amid Allegations of Abuse and Manipulation

The founding pastor of Casey City Church in Casey City, Australia, Larry Sebastian, has refused to resign despite a seven-month investigation by interim elders that found him disqualified from ministry on a dozen counts. The interim elders reported that more than 30 individuals connected to the congregation have alleged spiritual and physical abuse and manipulation by Sebastian.

Sebastian is accused of covering up the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in 2013, berating staff members, and harassing a former employee by repeatedly showing up at her home after she resigned. In November 2023, the interim elders presented their findings and recommendations to the congregation. They also shared the results with a group of approximately 60 whistleblowers, victims, and allies who no longer feel welcome at the church.

In a video of the whistleblower meeting, interim elder Allan Meyer described Sebastian as a man who “sincerely wants to serve God” but who “is involved in hypocrisy, appearance management, uses fear as a controlling mechanism, is inconsistent to the point of distress to those who have to work alongside him, is deaf to what he does not want to hear, and is willing to both humiliate and intimidate.”

The interim elders recommended Sebastian resign, but they lacked the authority to remove him. According to the church constitution, a two-thirds majority vote from members is required for such action. A vote has not been scheduled because a straw poll indicated the measure would not pass, according to former elder and church employee Karen Alsop. Alsop noted that many of Sebastian’s alleged victims have left the church or are too traumatized to return for a vote.

In response to questions from The Roys Report, Sebastian claimed the interim elders called for his resignation without “providing adequate reasons” or “offering any supporting evidence” for their decision. He stated that the allegations have come from a “very small number of individuals within the church community” and that church members “overwhelmingly rejected” the recommendation that he resign.

Sebastian denied covering up the alleged rape of a child in 2013, saying he was not made aware of the rape until 10 years later. He also refuted acting abusively toward church employees. His defense highlights the ongoing tension between the church leadership and those who have accused him of misconduct. The situation underscores the challenges of addressing abuse and accountability within religious communities. Micah 6:8 calls for justice, mercy, and humility in service, a standard that remains relevant to the human and moral themes of this story.

Source: Read the original report