Catholic Order Faces Allegations of Bullying and Legal Misconduct
Whistleblowers accuse Missionaries of the Sacred Heart leadership of intimidation and concealing abuse evidence.
1Systemic Bullying Allegations
Former employees of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Sydney have accused province leader Father Stephen Hackett of severe workplace bullying. Meta Jackman, the former director of professional standards, alleges that Hackett created an intolerable environment. These claims are supported by other staff members who describe explosive anger and intimidation.
2Controversial Legal Tactics
The order faced scrutiny for defending a historical child sexual abuse case while allegedly concealing substantiated abuse claims against their star witness, Father Malcolm Fyfe. By failing to disclose these findings to the Supreme Court, the order significantly impacted the trial outcome, leading to a later appeal and a financial settlement.
3Retaliation Against Whistleblowers
After Meta Jackman raised concerns regarding the order's conduct, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart initiated legal action against her. They accused her of leaking confidential information, a charge she denies. This litigation reached the Supreme Court before being dropped, leaving Jackman with substantial legal bills she is unable to pay.
4Leadership Management Style
Father Stephen Hackett’s leadership has been described as dismissive of civil law obligations. Former board chair Ros Everett resigned after witnessing Hackett’s insistence that the order should rely on canon law rather than civil statutes. This approach reportedly alienated professional staff and led to multiple high-profile resignations within the organization.
5Pattern of Explosive Behavior
An affidavit from former leader Father Chris McPhee suggests Hackett’s behavior is not a new development. Records indicate similar complaints were made during his tenure at the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. Despite internal warnings from fellow priests regarding his damaging conduct, Hackett was re-elected as province leader in May.
6Institutional Accountability Failures
Despite reporting the behavior to the highest levels of the Catholic Church, including the Pope’s representative in Australia, whistleblowers report no effective intervention. Even the Australian Catholic Safeguarding Limited stated it could not investigate the claims because the order refused to provide the necessary approval for an external inquiry.
7Impact on Legal Proceedings
The Victorian Court of Appeal eventually recognized the order's conduct as unacceptable, noting that the concealment of documents regarding Father Fyfe derailed the trial. The court awarded indemnity costs to the victim, Mr. Clifford, as a penalty for the order's failure to be transparent during the initial legal proceedings.
8Financial and Personal Toll
The legal conflict has left Meta Jackman financially devastated and psychologically distressed. Having worked as a director of professional standards, she never anticipated becoming a victim of the institution she served. Her case highlights the severe personal consequences faced by individuals who challenge the internal culture of religious organizations.
9Loss of Institutional Faith
The ongoing saga has caused several former employees to abandon their lifelong commitment to the Catholic Church. Anne-Marie Snelling, a support officer, stated she lost her faith due to the toxic environment and the lack of support for victims. These individuals feel the Church has failed to learn from past scandals.
10Order's Official Response
Father Stephen Hackett has denied the allegations of bullying. In a formal statement, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart asserted that they take such claims seriously and are committed to a safe workplace. They maintain that an internal investigation commissioned by the order did not substantiate the claims made by the women.
11Ongoing Legal Battles
Workplace injury claims filed by Meta Jackman and Anne-Marie Snelling remain active in the Federal Court. These proceedings continue to highlight the tension between the order's internal governance and civil legal requirements. The outcome of these cases remains uncertain as both parties continue to navigate the complex, high-stakes legal environment.
12Broader Implications for Safeguarding
This case raises critical questions about the effectiveness of post-Royal Commission safeguarding systems within religious institutions. Critics argue that if an order can block investigations and intimidate staff, the system fails to protect victims. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in enforcing transparency within private religious entities.