Several Church of England clergy members have been permitted to continue ministering in local parishes despite being subject to safeguarding concerns, according to a report by The Telegraph.
The news outlet revealed that three retired priests and a former vicar were granted power to officiate despite being under safety plans which include conditions such as avoiding contact with children and only leading services when no children are present.
Safety plans are designed to manage potential risks while safeguarding vulnerable individuals within the church community.
Of the clergy members in question, two were assessed as posing "no specific risk," while a third was deemed "low risk." Additionally, the former vicar, who now works in a non-church-connected role, remains under a safety plan following a similar "low risk" assessment.
Concerns have been raised about the Church’s protocols, suggesting that allowing clergy under safeguarding restrictions to lead services may undermine efforts to protect vulnerable individuals.
The Church of England has stated that none of the clergy involved have criminal convictions, and cases referred to statutory authorities did not result in further action.
The Church also emphasised that safeguarding concerns do not always stem from proven misconduct. In some instances, they relate to behavioural issues requiring additional oversight rather than formal complaints.
It comes in the wake of a series of high-profile safeguarding scandals within the Church of England. An inquiry into the late Christian barrister John Smyth identified him as one of the most prolific abusers linked to the denomination. The report's findings highlighted mishandling of of the case by the former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, which led to his resignation last year.
The Archbishop of York, Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, is currently leading the Church of England until a successor to former Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby is appointed. Cottrell has also faced intense criticism and calls for his resignation over safeguarding failures. In December, it was revealed that he had reappointed a priest with a known history of sexual abuse to a senior role in his diocese on two separate occasions during his tenure as Bishop of Chelmsford. Despite being first informed of concerns about David Tudor in 2011, Tudor remained in his post for nine more years under Cottrell's oversight.
More recently, the Bishop of Liverpool, John Perumbalath, retired following allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment.
Perumbalath has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the claims were thoroughly investigated by the national safeguarding team and found to be unsubstantiated. Additionally, one of the allegations was reviewed by the police, who concluded that no further action was necessary.
