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	Church of England Lists Sinner Priests By Andrew Norfolk The Times October 24, 2007 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article2726919.ece The Church of England keeps a register of clergy members found guilty of misconduct and consults it before all appointments are made. The register, known as the Archbishops' List, was the result of a change in disciplinary procedures in 2003, under which priests and deacons can be held to account for conduct "unbecoming or inappropriate to the office of the clergy". Such conduct is not defined, but the clergy are expected "to conform to appropriate standards of morality and behaviour" and to make themselves "wholesome examples . . .to the flock of Christ". A Church spokesman said that "unsubstantiated claims or allegations are certainly not included in this national register". Related Links Cheating clergy to face register of sex offenders Under the rules, bishops can choose to keep formal complaints of alleged misconduct on file for up to five years. They can also choose to hold a disciplinary tribunal. The first of these was held this month and involved the Rev David King, a North Yorkshire vicar who was accused of having an affair with a married parishioner. No findings have been published yet. Potential punishments for those found guilty of misconduct range from a formal rebuke to a lifetime ban from the ministry. Penalised clergy are also named on the Archbishops' List, which is kept at Lambeth Palace. Also named are those who resign after a formal complaint is made against them and those who "in the opinion of the archbishops, have acted in a manner which might affect their suitability for holding preferment".
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