Bishop who served King in Coronation faces ban over child abuse scandal
A bishop who served the King during the Coronation is among seven Church of England clergy facing disciplinary action after a damning abuse report which prompted Justin Welby's resignation.
Paul Butler, the retired former bishop of Durham, who acted as bishop assistant to His Majesty during the ceremony, is among those who could be banned from ministry as a result of investigations following the Makin review.
However, George Carey, the former archbishop of Canterbury, will not face any action.
The report published last year ruled that abuse carried out for decades by Christian camp leader John Smyth was known about and not acted upon by various people within the Church.
While the review led to the eventual resignation of Mr Welby as the most recent archbishop of Canterbury, the Church's national safeguarding team (NST) undertook to look at all clergy criticised within the report.
In an update on Thursday, the Church said Mr Butler and six others would face disciplinary proceedings under the clergy discipline measure (CDM).
CDM outcomes can range from a conditional discharge where no penalty is imposed, to removal from office, resignation by consent and a lifetime ban from ministry.
While a new process, replacing the CDM, was approved by the Church's parliament earlier this month to include defrocking, it is not thought this will be in place in time for these cases.
Lord Carey, who was named in the Makin report, had been one of 10 clergy revealed in February as facing possible action.
But the NST has confirmed 89-year-old Lord Carey, the Reverend Paul Perkin and the Reverend Hugh Palmer will face no further action.
As there is a 12-month time limit on cases being brought, the NST had to ask for permission of the president of the tribunals to bring a CDM 'out of time'.
Permission was granted in only seven of the 10 cases and the NST said it 'entirely respects' the decision from the 'independent judicial process'.
Others named as facing CDMs include the Reverend Sue Colman, the wife of Sir Jamie Colman, the Colman's mustard heir.
The Makin report concluded Mrs Colman, associate minister at St Leonard's Church in Oakley, near Basingstoke in Hampshire, was aware of Smyth's abuse before being ordained and noted that she and her husband visited Smyth in Africa in the 1990s and funded the Smyths through a personal trust.
Around a week after the Makin report was published, the Diocese of Winchester said Mrs Colman had been asked to 'step back from all ministerial duties'.
The others facing possible disciplinary action are Reverend Roger Combes, Reverend Andrew Cornes, Reverend Tim Hastie-Smith, Reverend Nick Stott and Reverend John Woolmer.
The NST said it would make no further comment on the cases while CDM proceedings were under way and no timeline has been given for when they might conclude.
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
World leaders call for deescalation after US bombs Iran
World capitals reacted to the surprise US attack on Iranian nuclear sites with a mix of calls for restraint and statements of condemnation. Trump had indicated on Friday he would make a decision in the next two weeks as to whether the US would bomb Iran in support of Israel, but the suddenness of the weekend strikes suggested that deadline was a red herring, with The Atlantic reporting that the president had already made up his mind last week. As the impact of the strikes was still being assessed Sunday, European and Gulf leaders appeared united in calls for diplomacy and restraint, while Iran's longtime allies, China and Russia, criticized the aerial assault as a gross escalation that could lead to further war. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whose foreign minister met with Iran's top diplomat last week as part of European efforts to avert the strikes, in a post on X urged Iran 'to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.' The plea for diplomacy was echoed by French President Emmanuel Macron, who in his own social media post Sunday called for restraint from Tehran and a return to 'dialogue,' as well as a commitment by Iran to renounce nuclear weapons. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Iran to 'immediately begin negotiations with the US and Israel' to find a diplomatic resolution. The German government believes 'significant parts' of Tehran's nuclear program were impacted in the strikes, but a precise assessment was not immediately possible. The European Union also echoed bloc leaders' calls for restraint, with the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas writing on social media that she urged 'all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation.' European Council President Antonio Costa said the bloc would work with allies to find a 'peaceful solution' to the conflict, and stressed the human toll of further possible attacks: 'Too many civilians will once again be the victims of a further escalation,' he said. United Nations chief António Guterres said in a statement that he was 'gravely alarmed by the use of force by the United States against Iran,' adding that the strikes represented a 'dangerous escalation' for the region. 'There is no military solution. The only path forward is diplomacy. The only hope is peace,' Guterres said, calling on UN members to deescalate the conflict. The UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said Sunday that it found no increase in off-site radiation levels after the strikes on the nuclear facilities, and that it would continue to monitor the situation. The UN Security Council was expected to meet later on Sunday to discuss the situation. China's foreign ministry said Sunday that Beijing 'strongly condemns' the US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, accusing Washington of violating international law and escalating regional tensions. 'China calls on all parties to the conflict, especially Israel, to cease fire as soon as possible,' the ministry said in a statement, adding that Beijing was 'willing to work with the international community to uphold justice and restore peace and stability in the Middle East.' Russia's Foreign Ministry said Moscow 'strongly condemned' the strikes, echoing China's accusation that they represented 'a gross violation of international law, the U.N. Charter, and U.N. Security Council resolutions.' Senior Kremlin official and former president Dmitry Medvedev went further, suggesting Trump's decision to strike Iran had 'started a new war for the U.S.,' and that the Iranian regime would likely be strengthened by Washington's involvement. In a post on X, Medvedev, who is the deputy chair of Russian President Vladimir Putin's Security Council, indicated that a 'number of countries' could also decide to supply Tehran with nuclear weapons following the US strikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the US strikes, saying they were carried out 'in full coordination' with Israel. He said US President Donald Trump's leadership 'created a pivot of history that can help lead the Middle East and beyond to a future of prosperity and peace.' Netanyahu's main political opponents also praised the operation: Opposition party leader Yair Lapid dismissed critics of the strikes as 'useful idiots.' Saudi Arabia — a longtime rival of Iran's which has in recent months seen slightly improved ties with Tehran — voiced 'deep concern' over the targeting of the Iranian nuclear sites, and reiterated prior remarks which 'condemned and denounced the violation of the sovereignty' of Iran. It urged restraint and de-escalation. Qatar — the globe's third largest exporter of LNG — regretted the 'deterioration of the situation' in its 'sisterly' nation of Iran and called for an immediate cease in hostilities. However, a statement from its foreign ministry notably did not mention who conducted the attacks. Abu Dhabi said the strikes threatened to pull the region 'into deeper levels of instability' and stressed the need for immediate de-escalation. The foreign ministry called on members of the United Nations' Security Council to 'uphold their responsibilities' in response to the hostilities. Oman, which sits across the Strait of Hormuz from Iran and has hosted talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran's nuclear program, said it 'deplores' the US strikes, which it characterized as an 'illegal aggression,' adding that the attack contravened international agreements allowing Iran to develop a 'peaceful' nuclear program. The Kingdom of Bahrain called for negotiations to restart between the US and Iran, adding that a diplomatic approach 'is essential to restoring regional peace and security and to protecting the peoples of the region from the consequences of war,' according to the state news agency. The country, which is home to a US military base, urged civilian drivers to avoid main roads Sunday as a precaution: Tehran has previously indicated it would consider attacking regional US military bases if Washington decided to strike the country.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Armed gunman shot dead after opening fire at Sunday church service
One person was injured at a Wayne, Michigan, church on Sunday morning after a suspect opened fire on the congregation mid-service. "The Wayne Police Department responded to an active shooter at Crosspointe Church in Wayne this morning," the department said. "Upon arrival, officers determined that a security guard for the church shot and killed the suspect. One victim was shot in the leg. Please avoid the area. Officers are still actively investigating." During a news conference, Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong shared that they did not know the suspect's specific motive or why he chose to target the church, but said he was carrying a "long gun and handgun." "The gunman is a 31-year-old white male from Romulus. His motivations are unknown, but at this point it appears he was suffering from a mental health crisis," Strong said. Pro-choice Vandals In Michigan Caught On Video Spray-painting Church "Our interactions with him in the past were quite limited. Like nothing of note," Strong added. Read On The Fox News App Strong said the gunman was also wearing tactical gear. Chaotic video on social media reportedly shows congregants ducking behind their seats before running toward the back of the church. "Everybody to the back," a woman yells. "Please, everybody, come to the back." Strong said one staff member was shot once in the leg by the suspect, which happened around 11:45 a.m. local time. Fbi Arrests Michigan Man Who Allegedly Called In Phony Bomb Threat After Missing Spirit Airlines Flight The outlet said that the armed suspect was on his way into the Christian church when a person outside the church tried to stop him using a truck. "Several staff members from the church approached the gunman. A parishioner struck the gunman with his vehicle as the gunman shot the vehicle repeatedly," Strong said. He added that at least two staff members shot the gunman, which caused fatal wounds. The church staff members do not wish to be identified at this point, Strong said. Strong shared that he believed the gunman was intending to commit a mass shooting based on the preliminary investigation. Police do not believe that the gunman was affiliated with the church. The FBI is monitoring the attack. At this time, police said they believed that the gunman acted alone and had no accomplice. "Our leadership and support teams are on the ground, at the scene, in Wayne, Michigan providing assistance and investigative support," FBI deputy director Dan Bongino wrote on X. In the wake of Sunday's shooting, Polk County, Florida Sheriff Grady Judd urged those going to places of worship to be cautious and alert for suspicious activity. "This morning's active shooter at a church in Wayne, Michigan reminds us that all of our houses of worship must have a safety and security plan to immediately respond to an active shooter," he said in a post on X. "An active shooter can happen anywhere, and churches, synagogues, and mosques need to take steps to prepare for such a scenario," he continued. Judd added that several other churches in recent years have "facilitated plans" and have "become staffed with individuals who are trained to counter an active-shooter," in response to recent shootings at places of worship. "We urge congregants: If you see something, or hear something suspicious, then say something. Talk to house of worship leadership and security and notify your local law enforcement agency immediately," Judd said. During Sunday's news conference, Strong confirmed that a plan was in place at the church and saved lives. "We are grateful for the heroic actions of the church's staff members, who undoubtedly saved many lives and prevented a large scale mass shooting," Strong said. "I would add that the church parishioners and staff members were trained in responding to emergency situations, which also saved lives."Original article source: Armed gunman shot dead after opening fire at Sunday church service
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Johnny Depp doesn't regret Amber Heard trial: 'It had gone far enough'
To some, Johnny Depp's headline-making defamation trial with ex-wife Amber Heard was a stain on his gleaming Hollywood career. But despite the legal drama, Depp wouldn't change a thing. The Oscar-nominated actor reflected on the 2022 court battle in an interview with The Sunday Times published June 21. "Look, none of this was going (to) be easy, but I didn't care," he told the British outlet. "I thought, 'I'll fight until the bitter (expletive) end.' And if I end up pumping gas? That's all right. I've done that before." Depp sued Heard in 2019, claiming she defamed him in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed in which she said she was a victim of domestic abuse without specifically naming him. Heard was granted a temporary restraining order against the actor in May 2016, just days after filing for divorce, alleging Depp physically abused her various times during their 15-month marriage. As for their trial, a Virginia jury in 2022 awarded Depp more than $10 million in damages following six weeks of widely watched testimony, during which both parties and witnesses testified about alleged abuse throughout the couple's tumultuous relationship. "Look, it had gone far enough," Depp, 62, continued. "If I don't try to represent the truth it will be like I've actually committed the acts I am accused of. And my kids will have to live with it. Their kids. Kids that I've met in hospitals. So the night before the trial in Virginia I didn't feel nervous. If you don't have to memorize lines, if you're just speaking the truth? Roll the dice." 'A soap opera': Johnny Depp shades Amber Heard defamation trial Heard won $2 million in damages from her countersuit over Depp's lawyer calling her claims a hoax. In December 2022, the former couple agreed to a settlement in the defamation case, with Heard paying Depp $1 million that he pledged to charity. The "Pirates of the Caribbean" alum also reflected on the professional fallout from the trial, including testimony from his former agent Tracey Jacobs. According to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, Jacobs testified that Depp's industry status was being increasingly undermined by his "unprofessional" on-set behavior, which allegedly included frequent tardiness. "There are people, and I'm thinking of three, who did me dirty. Those people were at my kids' parties. Throwing them in the air," Depp said. "And, look, I understand people who could not stand up (for me) because the most frightening thing to them was making the right choice. I was pre-MeToo. I was like a crash test dummy for MeToo. It was before Harvey Weinstein." 10 bingeable memoirs to check out: Celebrities tell all about aging, marriage and Beyoncé The legal troubles of disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who was indicted in May 2018 on charges of five sex crimes, are widely regarded as the tipping point for the #MeToo movement's impact on Hollywood. Weinstein was convicted on June 11 of a first-degree criminal sexual act in the retrial of his 2020 conviction on sexual assault and rape charges. Following the conclusion of his trial with Heard, Depp resumed his entertainment career with a starring role in 2023's "Jeanne du Barry," and directed the 2024 period drama "Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness." "Honestly? I didn't go anywhere," said Depp of his showbiz reemergence. "If I actually had the chance to split, I would never come back." Contributing: KiMi Robinson, Andrea Mandell and Maria Puente, USA TODAY
