By Andrew Ffrench
Oxford Mail [United Kingdom]
April 2, 2007
http://www.oxfordmail.net/news/headlines/display.var.1300735.0.cleared_vicar_thanks_congregation.php
Father Michael Wright thanked his Oxford congregation for their "fantastic support" during his nine-month ordeal fighting sex abuse allegations.
And they responded by applauding the vicar who has served them since 1980.
Father Wright, 69, vicar at St Barnabas Church, Jericho, arrived home at the vicarage on Tuesday after being acquitted of six counts of a serious sexual offence and six charges of indecent assault.
 |
| Father Michael Wright, left, thanks members of the congregation after the Palm Sunday service at St Barnabas Church, Jericho |
His congregation held prayers for him during the trial and yesterday they welcomed him back for his first Sunday morning mass since he was cleared.
After churchgoers had taken part in a Palm Sunday procession outside the church, Father Wright told them: "I just want to say a thank-you to all those who have supported me.
"The last nine months has felt like being drawn inexorably towards the edge of a cliff.
"Last Tuesday, I stared into the abyss, but the jury listened to reason, not emotion, and that is why I am here with you this morning.
"Thanks to all of you who have prayed for me and sent emails and letters.
"The parish that prays together, stays together, and you have stayed together wonderfully, so thank you all very much indeed."
Afterwards, Father Wright said: "The support from the congregation has been fantastic the whole time. It was the first time I have ever been applauded in church."
| 'Last Tuesday, I stared into the abyss, but the jury listened to reason, not emotion, and that is why I am here with you this morning' Father Michael Wright |
'Last Tuesday, I stared into the abyss, but the jury listened to reason, not emotion, and that is why I am here with you this morning'
Father Michael Wright
He paid tribute to lay reader Maggie Ellis for looking after the congregation in his absence.
John Temple, who was in the congregation, said: "It was very unusual to have a round of applause and it meant a lot.
"I think Father Wright was quite overwhelmed. He seemed to be having difficulty speaking."
Trevor Twentyman, 71, from Wallingford, a retired South American bishop, added: "The trial should never have happened and the fact that it did says a great deal about the inadequacies of our legal system. It means that everyone is so vulnerable."
Pat Schlueter, from Jericho, called at the church with her granddaughter Bibi Benson, 13 months, to support Father Wright.
She said: "Father Michael has missed his last year before his retirement because of this case, which is a great shame. This should never have happened and we are delighted to have him back."
Victor Brown, 88, of Summertown, Oxford, said: "It was quite an emotional occasion. Father Wright has served this congregation faithfully and I am delighted with the outcome of the trial."
Father Wright was on trial at Blackfriars Crown Court in London after a man, now aged 44, claimed the vicar had molested him when he was 11 at a church in Lewisham during the 1970s.
The jury took less than two hours to reach not-guilty verdicts on all 12 counts.
Contact: andrew.ffrench@nqo.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.