BishopAccountability.org
	Bishop Defended over CofE Abuse Cover-Up Eastbourne Today [United Kingdom] May 6, 2007 http://www.eastbournetoday.co.uk/news?articleid=2857575 A Retired bishop who lives in Willingdon has been defended after the Church of England was accused of covering up child abuse. David Wilcox, of Hoo Gardens, was working as the Suffragan Bishop of Dorking 17 years ago when he was informed that a young chorister at St Peter's Church in Farnborough was alleged to have been abused by former choirmaster Peter Halliday. It is said that a vicar, who was told of the incident by the boy's parents, told Bishop David but rather than call police the churchmen advised Halliday he should leave quietly and agree to have no more contact with children. The Rev Mark Rudall, director for communications for the Diocese of Guildford, said guidelines were not in place at the time and had they been, the situation would have been dealt with differently. He added, "We at the church feel the rector at the time and Bishop David acted with the highest integrity in accordance with their awareness of the situation for the family involved and the boy who complained. But it looks bad today." Peter Halliday, 61, of Farnborough, who admitted to the offences 17 years ago, was jailed for two-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to sexual abuse of boys in Hampshire in the late 1980s. He was ordered to pay all three victims £2,000 each after admitting to 10 counts of abuse at an earlier hearing at Winchester Crown Court. He abused the boys who were in his church choir between 1985 and 1990. He has also been banned from working with children and has been put on the Sex Offenders' Register, both for life. In a BBC report Det Sgt Alison Heydari, of Hampshire Police, said Halliday's actions had had a devastating impact on his victims and their families. Mr Wilcox, 77, retired from the church 12 years ago. Reverend Rudall added, "It emerged in court the reason it didn't go to the police was because the parents of the boy asked it not to. "We wouldn't cover it up anyway. In those days the police and authorities were not as geared up as it is today. "He did nothing wrong at all." In a statement the Church of England said it was committed to the safeguarding, care and nurture of the children within the Church community.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.