BLACKBURN (UNITED KINGDOM)
La Croix International [France]
August 14, 2024
By La Croix (with AFP)
The Anglican Church apologizes after an investigation implicated the church. Andrew Hindley, a priest from northwest England, remained in his position from 1991 to 2021 despite repeated accusations against him. He was even offered nearly €280,000 in 2022 to leave.
The Anglican Church apologized August 13 for its handling of the case of a priest from northwest England who was suspected of posing a risk to children and who had been offered a large sum of money to leave its ranks.
Already accused of inaction in dealing with child sexual within the clergy, the Church of England once again promised to strengthen its procedures for handling such cases after it was implicated by a BBC investigation.Further reading: Church of England’s reputation damaged by sexual abuse claims
According to the BBC, Andrew Hindley remained a priest in Blackburn from 1991 to 2021 despite repeated accusations regarding his behavior, which were well-known within the institution.
A sum of money to leave
According to the public broadcaster, Hindley was offered £240,000 (approximately €280,000) in 2022 to leave. The exact amount he received is not known due to confidentiality reasons.
“We are sincerely sorry that survivors did not receive the necessary support from the church,” said the church’s two highest dignitaries, Archbishops Justin Welby of Canterbury and Steven Cottrell of York, in a statement. “We are absolutely convinced that there is no place in the clergy for those who pose a risk to others,” they added.Further reading: Tasmania’s Anglican Church to sell 80 churches as litigation looms
The church confirmed that a sum had been paid to settle a lawsuit filed by the priest following his removal, which was decided in 2021. It emphasized the “complexity” of the case involving its former priest, who maintains his innocence and, according to the BBC, claims to be a victim of homophobia and personal vendettas.
Multiple police investigations
According to the public broadcaster, Hindley was the subject of five police investigations between 1991 and 2018, including two for sexual assaults on minors, but none resulted in charges.
However, several assessments conducted in the 2000s concluded that there were risks, leading to restrictions on his activities on several occasions, although compliance with these restrictions was not “monitored.”Further reading: Archbishop of Canterbury draws flak for not defending late bishop
The Anglican Church assured that it “continues to work to strengthen its procedures,” a task initiated following a damning independent report in 2020 that denounced a “culture” within the institution that allowed perpetrators of sexual abuse against minors to “hide” and receive “more support than the victims.” The Anglican Church also announced the publication of a report on its handling of sexual abuse cases, but it has been delayed several times.