Anglican Archbishop makes departure final

Churchman Roger Herft, who stood down as the Anglican Archbishop of Perth three months ago, has confirmed his departure will be permanent.

The Rev Herft made his initial decision in October, after giving evidence to the child abuse royal commission.

The commission was inquiring into events in Newcastle in NSW, where he had served as bishop for more than a decade to 2005.

In August, Rev Hurst gave evidence to the commission and expressed remorse for letting the community down by not reporting repeated complaints about pedophile priests to police.

"I have ... let them down badly, let down survivors in ways that remorse itself is a very poor emotion to even express," he told the hearing.

Weeks after that hearing he announced he was stepping down as Archbishop.

On Thursday, Rev Herft made that decision final after telling the Diocesean Council he would retire a year ahead of schedule.

He will continue to take accrued leave until the official date of July 7, 2017.

"The Diocesan Council thanked the Archbishop for his significant contribution to the Anglican Church of Australia and the wider Anglican Communion over 43 years of faithful ministry, and particularly as Archbishop of Perth since 2005," the church said in statement.

A new Perth archbishop will be appointed early in 2017.