BishopAccountability.org
	Inquiry Launched into Clergyman's Affair with Farmer's Wife Guardian April 29, 2010 http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/apr/29/bishop-christopher-hardwick-affair-truro Dean of Truro Cathedral, the Very Rev Dr Christopher Hardiwck, taking a break from duties, diocese of Truro says The Church of England has launched an inquiry into allegations that one of its senior clergymen has been having an affair. The Very Rev Dr Christopher Hardwick, the dean of Truro Cathedral, has "taken a break" from his duties after revealing he was having "difficulties with his marriage". The Rt Rev Tim Thornton, the bishop of Truro, told his congregation on Sunday about the hiatus, but only learned of the alleged involvement with farmer's wife Susan Sainsbury "in the last few days". A spokesman for the diocese of Truro said: "The dean had shared the news of the difficulties with his marriage, in confidence, with Bishop Tim, prior to the weekend. It is only in the past few days that the bishop and the diocese have been made aware of the alleged involvement of another woman. "The dean confirmed to the bishop that he had been meeting Mrs Sainsbury as part of his pastoral counselling role because, at the time, she herself was going through a divorce process, which we understand is now complete." The diocese said the dean was officially still in post, but a date for his return to the church had not been set. The diocese confirmed the bishop initiated an inquiry into whether or not there were grounds for proceeding with a more formal disciplinary process within hours of the allegations being made. The spokesman added:"As a caring organisation, the diocese has pastoral procedures that are implemented in the event that the marriage of any priest runs into difficulties. "These have been made available to all the individuals involved in the present situation. The bishop has asked members of the cathedral congregation and the wider diocese to hold all those involved in their prayers." Hardwick was the youngest dean in the country when he took up his post in 2005, aged 47. He spent 15 years in banking before becoming a church reader in 1987.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.