BishopAccountability.org
	Vicar in Sex Abuse Arrest By Lisa Jones icWales [Wales] December 7, 2006 http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_headline=vicar-in-sex-abuse-arrest &method=full&objectid=18226531&siteid=50082-name_page.html A Vicar has been suspended following allegations of sexual assault. The Reverend Alan Rabjohns, 66, of St Saviours Church in Splott Road, in Splott, Cardiff, has been arrested following the claims, which date back to the 1980s. A spokesman for South Wales Police said: "Following allegations of an historical nature a 66-year-old man, from Cardiff, was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and released on police bail pending further inquiry." A spokesman for the Church in Wales said: "The Church in Wales' diocese of Llandaff can confirm the Reverend Alan Rabjohns, Vicar of St Saviour's, Splott, Cardiff, has been arrested and is helping police with their inquiries following a complaint. "Following Church in Wales procedures, Father Rabjohns has been suspended from all duties until the matter has been resolved. "The diocese of Llandaff is cooperating with the police in their inquiries." Speaking today, the married father, who was ordained in 1964 and has been at St Saviours since 1976, said he had nothing to add to a statement issued by the Church in Wales. Parishioners at St Saviours, which now under the care of the area Dean of Cardiff Mark Preece, Vicar of Canton, today spoke of their shock at the news. Philip Daw, 70, of Splott Road, Splott, whose wife Barbara is also a church member, said: "It was announced by the bishop that Father Alan had been arrested and everyone was stunned, everyone was speechless. "Everyone at the church is offering him their support." Mr Daw's son Philip, 41, chairman of the Splott Resident's Association, said: "Father Alan has done some outstanding work in the community, the church and has personal campaigns." Debbie Gray, of the South Splott Residents' Association, added: "I've known Alan for 18 years. We've served together on the Moorland Primary School board of governors and I used to go to St Saviours when the children were younger. He did my confirmation. "I had heard a rumour. Somebody mentioned something to me last week but I didn't believe it because of all the years I've known Alan. "I'm stunned that there's an allegation. "In all the years I've known him he's always acted in a professional capacity." The Assistant Bishop of Llandaff, the Rt Rev Dr David Yeoman, said: "Our thoughts and prayers at this time are with all those concerned."
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