Catholic priest says Bishop of Bunbury failed to effectively support him after suicide attempt

A Catholic priest in regional Western Australia says one of the country’s most experienced bishops told him to “move on as though nothing happened” after he tried to take his own life.

WARNING – Readers are advised this story discusses mental health and suicide.

Collie parish priest Gerald Tan, who has given the ABC permission to publish information surrounding his mental health, claimed Bishop of Bunbury Gerard Holohan had failed in his duty of care towards him.

“I felt so alone … he [the bishop] was very dismissive,” Father Tan said.

In a written response to questions from the ABC, Bishop Holohan said he always tried to provide Father Tan with the best possible care.

Father Tan tried to take his own life in December 2019.

After the suicide attempt, text messages seen by the ABC show Bishop Holohan told him “we can now move on as though nothing happened. We can draw a line under this incident”.

Father Tan said the bishop contacted his psychiatrist in search of “advice”, while also posting information about the incident on his official social media account.

Father Tan said he felt this was an invasion of privacy.

He said his clearance to go back to work was already in writing when Bishop Holohan contacted his psychiatrist.

“To me, I really believe that is very unethical because that’s an attempt to violate confidentiality,” Father Tan said.

He said being removed from his ministries worsened his mental health.

“I really felt abandoned … there was no support,” Father Tan said.

Focus on public impact

In a number of text messages sighted by the ABC, Bishop Holohan referred to the public impact of Father Tan’s issues.

“If rumours were to start from the hospital, your appearance at masses will blunt them,” the bishop wrote.

“If asked, you could simply say you were in hospital overnight because of a reaction to medication dosage change. God bless.”

In more recent correspondence, Bishop Holohan told Father Tan “if you confirm any mental health issues, this is at best going to limit people’s confidence in you”.

“You will be closing off your ministry, too, to people who will not have confidence in someone with such issues,” he wrote.

“You have older parishioners who think of seeing psychiatrists in the same way as you have said people in the Philippines think of this.”

Father Tan said he had been able to return to work full time since seeking external support and treatment.

But he said he had lost confidence in Bishop Holohan, particularly after the Bishop openly discussed details of his suicide attempt on social media.

“He had no right to disclose anything about that incident because that is not his story,” Father Tan said.

“That is very personal.

“He does not have a sense of confidentiality.”

Bishop says he had priest’s welfare in mind

Additional text messages show that Bishop Holohan regularly messaged Father Tan to check-in.

In the messages, the bishop expressed being “very worried” about the priest’s wellbeing and said he would do “everything in his power” to support Father Tan’s welfare.

“I was concerned about how people who lacked understanding and sensitivity about mental health issues would come to see Father Gerald,” Bishop Holohan told the ABC.

“I believe it’s better to leave such matters private, based upon 51 years of pastoral experience.

“I don’t think he realises the attitudes of many older generations.

“I was trying to protect him from common insensitivities of others.”

Bishop Holohan said he contacted Father Tan’s psychiatrist due to “serious concerns” from a “number of people”.

Asked why he disclosed personal and graphic information on social media, Bishop Holohan said it was for accuracy.

He said his priority was seeking reconciliation with Father Tan and that he wanted to heal the harm done to the Catholic Church.

“I have twice asked Father Gerald for a meeting to find out exactly what is his problem … this is the Christian way,” he said.

“Jesus laid out the path to dealing with disputes (Matthew 18:15-17): 

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you.

“If they listen to to you, you have won them over.”

Bishop Holohan said the first step was to take the complaint to the person concerned.

“This has not happened,” he said.

Broader problems within diocese

Bishop Holohan has led the Catholic Diocese of Bunbury since being appointed by Pope John Paul II in 2001.

But additional correspondence seen by the ABC shows how internal conflicts within the clergy have reached boiling point, with some of the region’s priests sharing Father Tan’s concerns.

The controversy within the church spilled into the public sphere after Bishop Holohan removed local priest Tony Chiera from his role as Vicar General.

Leaked emails between Bishop Holohan and the priests within the Bunbury diocese show the decision was linked to the dismissal of an employee of the Bunbury diocese who had allegedly failed to comply with COVID-19 vaccination mandates.

The bishop said the COVID-19 matter was with the Industrial Relations Commission.

“Now that the former employee has taken a legal route, the situation is that Father Tony is subject to being called as a witness against [me] the bishop,” Bishop Holohan wrote.

“This is incompatible with his role as vicar general and he would have no option other than to testify.

“The canonical role of the vicar general is to be the first supporter of the bishop.

“He and the bishop need to have a close working relationship.

“This will avoid the second most senior person in the diocese testifying against the first.

“Hopefully it will avoid media interest and save the diocese from negative publicity.

“He took a decision that I believe was a mistake and now we have to manage the consequences.”

But in a separate email, Father Chiera told priests he was not involved in any court proceedings.

“As far as I am aware and after seeking clarification from relevant bodies, my situation before the WA Industrial Commission is as follows:

“1. There is no matter before the court that involves me.

“2. I have not been called as a witness.

“3. I have not been named in any submissions.

“In the name of truth and justice I would ask the bishop to kindly clarify the advice he has referred to in emails regarding me.”

Bishop Holohan then emailed priests to say that the three statements from Father Chiera were “correct”.

Asked to explain the discrepancy between the two emails, Bishop Holohan claimed the legal process had not yet reached the stage requiring Fr Chiera’s involvement.

“The realignment of responsibilities of any priest is a private matter between him and the bishop,” Bishop Holohan said.

“It is an internal administrative process.”

Father Chiera has been contacted for comment.

Pleas for confidentiality

Emails show Bishop Holohan pleaded with priests to keep the internal conflict from the wider public.

“I am now sorry that this matter has become public among the priests,” he wrote.

“Please keep it confidential so that our people don’t become distressed.

“It is the last kind of thing our people need to be dealing with these days.

“This matter could have been handled prudently with no one being aware of what is happening.”

In another email, Bishop Holohan said he was “bewildered that what was a normal confidential matter between a priest and a bishop” had become known to priests.

He also called for the “end of emails” as “many of you [priests] urged there be no further communication on this matter as it is affecting the morale of so many”.

“My plea to all of you is to keep this situation confidential among ourselves,” he wrote.

“Our people have been so hurt already by abuse scandals that we need to protect our flock from further hurt and division.

“So this is the end of any further public comment on the matter.

“Public comment has led only to controversy and potentially divisive misunderstanding.”

The retirement age for Catholic bishops is 75, which Bishop Holohan reached last month.

However, he can remain in his position until the Pope accepts his resignation, a process which can often take years.

“I leave that to the Pope,” Bishop Holohan said, in response to questions around his future status.

Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Balvo told the ABC that he had only started in the role last year and was not privy to the entire situation.

He said he did not have authority to remove or appoint bishops and priests.

“There are varied relationships and personal histories, as well as misunderstandings, and I hope that all parties involved can be reconciled,” he said.