Metro
November 19, 2008
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?Vicar_banned_for_affair_with_parishioner&in_article_id=409233&in_page_id=34
A vicar has been banned from the church for seven years for having an affair with a parishioner who went to him for marriage guidance.
The Rev Andrew Gair, former rector of St Mary's, in Debden, Essex, "kissed and touched" the unidentified woman "intimately in a sexual manner".
The church tribunal, held in west London, heard the affair blossomed in 2005 after the woman sought counselling from Mr Gair for her marriage difficulties.
The pair shared long walks in the countryside as their relationship developed but never had "penetrative sex", the tribunal was told.
The church authorities became involved after the woman's husband, identified only as Mr X, became suspicious about Mr Gair's relationship with his wife.
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It emerged during the hearing that Mr X also went to Mr Gair for advice about his marriage. The tribunal, which concluded last week, found the conduct of Mr Gair, who was also married, had been "unbecoming and inappropriate".
It ruled a "very serious aggravating factor" of the case was the fact that Mr Gair pursued a relationship with the woman at a time when he was "purporting" to counsel her husband.
The Rt Rev John Gladwin, the Bishop of Chelmsford, said: "The Church of England has the highest expectations of those who have the tremendous privilege and responsibility of holding office as clergy in our parishes.
"When individuals abuse that position, the church has to take clear action to show that the behaviour is unacceptable."
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