Hillsong founder has been accused of covering up his father's child sexual abuse charges.Brian Houston, 67, was charged with concealing a serious offense. He is due to appear in court October. Police said that the investigation began in 2019 following reports that Frank Houston had hidden information about his alleged sexual abuse of children.According to a police statement, "Police will allege that the man knew information about the sexual abuse of a young boy in the 1970s but failed to report it to police."BuzzFeed News reported that the pastor had denied the charges.Houston stated, "These charges have been a shock to my since Ive been so transparent about this matter." Houston stated, "I vehemently declare my innocence and will defend the charges. I welcome the chance to correct the record."Since 2014, Australian media have reported on the response of the Sydney-based pastor to allegations of abuse against his father. Houston was speaking to the Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses To Child Sexual Abuse in Australia, which is an investigation by the Australian government into churches and other institutions.Hillsong has in the past responded to media reports by defending its founder and removing the church from his father's actions. According to the New Daily, Frank Houston, who was killed in 2004, is accused of abusing nine boys. According to one victim, he was seven years old at the time of the abuse.A Hillsong statement stated that Frank Houston's abuse occurred years before Hillsong was founded. "It is a clear fact that Pastor Brian has not been accused of child abuse and has taken immediate action to stop any such abuser."Houston stated in 2014 that he learned about his father's abuse 22-years ago. He confronted him and "ensured" he would never preach or serve in any ministry capacity ever again. Hillsong would later absorb Frank Houston's Sydney Christian Life Centre.Hillsong stated that Houston had reported the abuse to the National Executive Assemblies of God Australia. He then relayed the matter on to the Sydney Christian Life Centre governing board, who made a public announcement to church.According to Hillsong's statement, Frank Houston wasn't on the Hillsong staff.Hillsong was founded by Brian Houston and Bobbie Houston in 1983 in Sydney. It now has 10 churches in the United States and 30 other countries. The church boasts that it serves 150,000 people every week. Star-studded guests have included Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber. In January, Bieber posted on Instagram that he had stopped attending Hillsong after hearing that he was studying to become a minister.Bieber's disassociation from Hillsong happened as Hillsong was facing another scandal. The church had to fire the New York City pastor. According to a church statement, Carl Lentz, who was known for his hip views on Christianity, was fired after "ongoing discussions in respect to leadership issues, breaches of trust, and a recent revelation about moral failures." Later, Lentz admitted that he was unfaithful to his wife.
