UNITED KINGDOM
The Independent
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby admits Church cannot stop banned paedophile ex-vicar from using ‘Reverend’ title
The Archbishop of Canterbury has admitted that the Church is powerless to stop banned members of the clergy from using the “Reverend” title, after a convicted paedophile allegedly used the honorific and wore a clerical collar.
In 1999, Guy Bennett, the former vicar at St Mary’s parish church in Oxted, admitted to indecently assaulting three 11-year-old girls between 1976 and 1988, according to BBC News.
He was jailed for nine months and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. During the proceedings, he denied four further offences which were left on file.
Following his suspension by the Church of England, Bennett retired from the post as he awaited the outcome of his trial.
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