A Brisbane priest has been stood down pending the outcome of child exploitation charges. Father Neil Byrne, parish priest of St John's Wood and The Gap, in the city's west, has faced Brisbane Magistrates Court charged with making and possessing child exploitation material.
Brisbane Catholic Archbishop John Bathersby on Tuesday described the charges as "serious and disturbing".
"As a result of these allegations, as is the normal process, I have stood Fr Byrne down from his position as parish priest and from all public duties, pending the outcome of the legal proceedings," he said in a statement.
"As a church community we must remain vigilant in ensuring that the safety of children is paramount."
Archbishop Bathersby said his thoughts were with Byrne's parishioners.
"My thoughts and prayers today go out to the parishioners of St John's Wood, The Gap and Kenmore parishes in these difficult times, and to innocent children everywhere who are victims of terrible crimes of exploitation and abuse," he said.
The Courier-Mail online reported parents at a school in the area on Tuesday received a letter from the principal about the charges.
It asked parents to come forward if they had any information about Byrne.
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