By Louisa Felton
The Gazette [United Kingdom]
May 9, 2007
http://www.hemelhempsteadtoday.co.uk/news?articleid=2861607
Churchgoers in Berkhamsted were horrified to learn this week that their former parish priest had pleaded guilty to four charges of sexual activity with a 15-year-old boy.
Father Peter Grant, aged 58, appeared before St Albans Magistrates where it was revealed he formed a relationship with the teenager over a three-month period.
Grant left Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Berkhamsted, seven weeks ago for a new parish in Burnt Oak, Barnet.
 |
| SACRED Heart Catholic Church in Berkhamsted, above, where Father Peter Grant (pictured inset) was placed from 1997 until earlier this year. Father Grant pleaded guilty last week at St Albans Magistrates’ Court to four charges of sexual activity with a child. |
It also emerged that police are investigating another alleged offence by Grant going back 15 years. The court heard that there is a possibility of more victims coming forward.
Magistrates were told last Wednesday that the 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, confessed to another priest that several sexual encounters had taken place between him and Grant.
News of the initial allegations came as a shock to parishioners in both Berkhamsted and Burnt Oak when it was announced during Sunday Mass.
One Catholic mother from the Berkhamsted parish said: "He always seemed so nice. He gave my little girl her First Holy Communion. I can't quite believe it. It's bad enough for anyone to do something like this, let alone a priest.
"Although he always seemed a nice friendly man, there was always something about him I didn't trust but I had no inkling it could be anything like this."
Another parishioner, a grandmother from Northchurch, said: "Everybody seems to be talking about it and some hardly believe it. Everyone is totally shocked."
When approached by The Gazette after the case, Father Grant, of Balfour Mews, Bovingdon, refused to comment.
But the Diocese of Westminster expressed its deep regret for the hurt Grant has caused the victim and his family.
Spokesperson for the Diocese, Eddie Tulasiewicz, said: "The offences carried out by Father Peter Grant are a grievous betrayal of his responsibilities as a priest.
"As soon as the allegation came to light in the middle of April 2007, Father Grant was withdrawn from the ministry and the Diocese Child Protection Team has been fully co-operating with the police investigation.
"Up until this time, the Diocese of Westminster had not been made aware of any allegations of abuse involving Father Grant.
"The Diocese makes strenuous efforts to ensure the safety and protection of all children in its parishes and has followed the Child Protection procedures adopted by the Catholic Church in England and Wales following the 2001 Nolan Review.
 |
Photo by Louisa Felton |
"Anyone with any concerns relating to this case is invited to contact the local social services or police or the Child Protection Coordinator in the Diocese of Westminster on 020 7798 9350."
While most people felt that Grant betrayed their trust, the secretary at Sacred Heart in Berkhamsted, Anne Furlong, said: "He was held in great regard, was and still is."
Grant, a former postman, was ordained in 1991 at the age of 42.
He served at parishes in Garston and Kentish Town, London, before coming to Berkhamsted in 1997.
He was also the chaplain at St Thomas More Catholic Primary School in Berkhamsted for more than nine years but the offences were not linked in any way to pupils there.
Before Grant left for Burnt Oak, pupils at the school presented him with a series of poems and songs in a special assembly to wish him luck in his new parish.
Headmistress, Lisa Barton, said: "Father Peter was never left alone with any child. We have strict protocols at the
school and the children's safety is our main priority. Father Peter was aware of these protocols and always abided by them."
"This issue is of the utmost importance to us. The concerns of our pupils and parents are our concerns also.
"This does go to show how vulnerable people can be, but it also shows that the systems and protocols in place at the school work."
Miss Barton added that the children had been made aware of the situation and parents were being reassured.
In Bovingdon, where he lives in a small block of flats, neighbours interviewed by The Gazette did not know the priest.
One elderly neighbour said: "You hear about this sort of thing all the time. It seems every day at the moment.
"I have lived here for three years and I have never spoken to him. He must keep himself to himself. It just goes to show that you don't know who you're living next door to any more."
Contact: louisa.felton@ccnltd.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.