By Keeley Knowles
Bedfordshire on Sunday
February 6, 2010
http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/bedsonsunday-news/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=482281
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| St Mary’s Church, Cardington |
A vicar has been banned for ‘inappropriate’ behaviour towards a female member of his parish.
It was announced last Sunday that Reverend Stephen Smith of St Mary’s Church, Cardington, is prohibited from exercising any functions as a member of the clergy for six months.
A person who attended St Mary’s Church on Sunday morning, who asked not to be named, wrote in a letter to Bedfordshire on Sunday: ‘After the service I was asked to sit down while Rev Littleford read out a statement from the Bishop of Bedford.
“It stated that my vicar Rev Stephen Smith had been suspended for six months because of his inappropriate behaviour with a lady member of our congregation.”
A spokesman for the Diocese of St Albans said: “A complaint was made against Rev Smith, team vicar in the Elstow Team Ministry, in August 2009, that his conduct towards an adult female member of his parish was inappropriate to the office and work of a Clerk in Holy Orders.
“The Bishop of Hertford, the Rt Rev Christopher Foster, has heard the complaint under the legislation governing the discipline of the clergy (the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003) and has determined that the Rev Stephen Smith should be prohibited from exercising any functions as a member of the clergy for six months.
“This is a significant penalty. The prohibition began on Sunday 31 January 2010.”
The February newsletter published by St Mary’s Cardington, said: ‘Sadly this first edition of 2010 comes to you without a leading article from our team vicar, the Rev Stephen Smith.
“At the time of printing, Stephen is still unwell and under doctor’s orders to remain at home.
‘We send him our love and very best wishes for better health in the coming year.’
A spokesman for the Diocese added: “The public and the Church rightly expect the highest standards of behaviour from clergy and take seriously any falling short from these standards.
“The disciplinary powers available exist to deal with these matters with appropriate penalties.
“The penalty remains noted ‘on the record’ of the priest thereafter.”
Despite our efforts to contact Rev Smith we were unable to do so.
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