Abbot of Ampleforth "Investigated by Police" over Alleged Child Sex Abuse

By Sophie Jamieson
Telegraph
September 1, 2016

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/31/abbot-of-ampleforth-investigated-by-police-over-alleged-child-se/

Ampleforth Abbey and College in North Yorkshire CREDIT: KIPPA MATTHEWS /REX

The Abbot of Ampleforth is reportedly being investigated by police over alleged child sex offences.

Complaints about the Right Rev Cuthbert Madden have been raised by four former pupils at Ampleforth College, the Catholic boarding school, according to The Times.

He is said to have "stepped aside" from his responsibilities as chairman of governors at the school while the investigation takes place. He denies any wrongdoing.

Father Cuthbert, 61, was first elected Abbot in 2005, a position which puts him at the head of the largest Benedictine community in the country. He has been at Ampleforth for 30 years and was reelected to his position three years ago.

Ampleforth has previously been linked with alleged sexual abuse by priests. In the last 20 years, three monks have been convicted of historic sex offences.

Father Cuthbert has previously described such crimes as a betrayal of trust. He has said in the past: "We consider that the safety and protection of children in our care is a sacred responsibility."

Father Cuthbert is chairman of the governors at the school CREDIT: PHILIP HOLLIS

The allegations made about Father Cuthbert are said to have taken place in the early 1990s, the Times claimed, at which time he was a junior monk and tutor at the school.

Parents of children at the school reportedly received a letter this week from the school's acting headminister Father Wulstan Peterburs saying that the Abbot's temporary absence followed "the receipt of allegations relating to historical events".

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said the force "is investigating non-recent allegations of indecent assault against four pupils at Ampleforth College which took place in the 1990s.

"The information was reported to the police in August 2016. The investigation remains ongoing and a man in his sixties has been interviewed under caution.

"The police investigation has also triggered safeguarding measures which have been put in place while the investigation continues.”

Ampleforth has said it is committed to the safety of all the children in its care and was found in recent inspections to be "fully compliant with all aspects of safeguarding".