Bishop of Durham defends Church of England paedophiles who made ‘mistakes’

By David Wooding
Sun
February 9, 2016

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/6914277/Reverend-defends-Bishop-paedos.html

Mistake ... Rt Rev Paul Butler made the remark in reference to ex-Bishop of Gloucester Peter Ball, jailed last year for a string of offences

A BISHOP leading a probe into paedophile priests was blasted last night for describing their child abuse as “mistakes”.

Rt Rev Paul Butler made the remark in reference to ex-Bishop of Gloucester Peter Ball, jailed last year for a string of offences.

The Bishop of Durham told the House of Lords: “We have to recognise that it’s possible for great people to make mistakes.”

Last night Tory MP Andrew Bridgen said: “Nobody’s good deeds or public service can ever excuse or mitigate the sexual abuse of minors.”

And Philip Johnson, spokesman for Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors, said: “Systematic sexual exploitation of dozens of people over many years should be described as what they are — crimes and not errors, however grave.”