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Vicar Who Set Fire to Himself in Rectory Had Been Suspended from Church after "Ongoing Police Investigation"

By Anna Slater
Mirror
July 30, 2017

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/vicar-sets-himself-on-fire-10901617

The Reverend Martyn Neale (Image: Surrey Advertiser)

A senior church vicar set fire to himself at his rectory after he was suspended as part of an "ongoing police investigation."

The Rev Martyn Neale died in dramatic circumstances on Tuesday - two weeks after the Diocese of Guildford temporarily removed him from his role.

No details about the nature of the investigation have been given.

The 60-year-old had been a member of the General Synod and a Church of England vicar for Hawley for 20 years.

Friends described him as a "quietly spoken but caring" priest who had worked in the Diocese of Guildford for two decades.

Rev Neale was under a police investigation (Image: Aldershot News and Mail)

Earlier this year, he become a member of the CofE's legislative body, the General Synod, and attended his first meeting in York.

He was a prominent member of the pressure group Forward in Faith - which opposes women priests.

Father Neale was made a Canon at Guildford Cathedral in October 2015.

Rev Neale, centre, at the annual Hawley Fair with Diane Brown, left and Denise Dear, right (Image: Surrey Advertiser)

The diocese said on Saturday (July 30): "We were very sorry to be informed by police of the death of a man at the rectory in Hawley, believed to be Father Martyn Neale.

"Fr Neale had been suspended last week as a consequence of an ongoing police investigation.

Rev Neale at the annual Hawley Fair, which he helped organise (Image: Surrey Advertiser)

"The Diocese of Guildford is giving pastoral support in the parish, and we are praying for all those who are affected by these tragic events."

On the diocese website it states that Father Neale became a honorary Canon on October 18, 2015 having served in the diocese for 18 years.

Rev Neale's Holy Trinity congregation were told of his suspension a fortnight ago (Image: Google Maps)

The Bishop of Andrew said at the installation of the Canons that the Revd Canon Martyn Neale "has touched many lives through his deep rootedness in Christ, his care for God's people and loyalty to the Church."

Hampshire Police said the death "was not being treated as suspicious" and a file was being prepared for the coroner.

 

 

 

 

 




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