In a short statement the diocese did not reveal any details about the reason for the hearing on April 27 and 28, but confirmed it is open to the public. Venue is level 1, 19 Darby Street, Newcastle.

Reverend Hanlon became an Anglican priest in December, 1993 and started work with Newcastle diocese in January, 2011. Reverend Hanlon concluded ministry at Samaritans in April, 2013 and has recently been living in South Australia.

The board hearing will be presided over by former NSW local court magistrate Colin Elliott after he accepted reappointment as president of the professional standards board in October.

Mr Elliott resigned as president in 2012 after expressing serious concerns about former Newcastle Bishop Brian Farran’s lengthy delay in enacting professional standards board recommendations. This followed hearings into sexual abuse allegations against former Newcastle Dean Graeme Lawrence, his partner Greg Goyette and priests Graeme Sturt, Andrew Duncan and Bruce Hoare.

Acting Bishop Peter Stuart said the diocese was unable to make any comment about the hearing into matters involving Reverend Hanlon until after it is finalised.

In a Facebook post Reverend Hanlon said the Anglican Church in Australia had “made major stuff ups” and “we have to confess our sins”.

“I wonder .. if the climate of protectionism of people who consistently violated others in the past has led to a culture of boring clergy, administrative bishops and a culture of survival,” he wrote in 2013.