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Reuters
Reuters
World

Hillsong Church founder steps down to prepare defence against Australian charges

Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston said on Sunday he is stepping down from all ministry responsibilities to prepare to "vigorously defend" against Australian police charges that he concealed sex abuse of a young man in the 1970s.

In August, the 67-year-old Houston was charged with concealing child sex abuse by his late father, Frank Houston, an allegation he strenuously denied.

"These allegations came as a shock to me, and it is my intention to vigorously defend them," Houston said in a statement on Hillsong's website.

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