Monks Told They Can No Longer Run West London Catholic School after Abuse Scandal, LBC, November 9, 2011

Monks Told They Can No Longer Run West London Catholic School after Abuse Scandal

LBC
November 9, 2011

http://www.lbc.co.uk/monks-told-they-can-no-longer-run-west-london-catholic-school-after-abuse-scandal-47165

An independent inquiry has told a group of monks they can no longer run a Catholic school in West London after decades of child sex abuse.

In an report published by Lord Carlile of Berriew twenty one separate abuse cases have been detailed at St Benedict's School, which is under Ealing Abbey's watch, since 1970.

Campaigners claim there could be hundreds of victims.

"I have come to the firm conclusion... that the form of governance of St Benedict's School is wholly outdated and demonstrably unacceptable," Lord Carlile wrote in his report.

"The abbot himself has accepted that it is 'opaque to outsiders'."

Father David Pierce - referred to as the "devil in a dog collar" by one of his victims - was jailed in 2009 after admitting to multiple assaults against five victims over the course of 36 years.

The Vatican recently launched a separate inquiry into the historic sex offences - the first of its kind in Britain.

Lord Carlile believes the case shows how "St Benedict's rule of love and forgiveness appears to have overshadowed responsibility for children's welfare".

Police are also hunting for Father Laurence Soper over child abuse allegations dating back to when he taught at St Benedict's between 1991 - 2000.

It is believed he may have been living in a Monastery in Rome and he failed to return to London to answer bail in March.

Responding to the report Headmaster Chris Cleugh admitted St Benedict's should have done more to stop the abuses and outlined the school's commitment to change.

"Past abuses at the school have left a terrible legacy on those affected and have tarnished the reputation of St Benedict's.

"On behalf of the school, I offer my heartfelt apology for past failures."

The report has recommended that two trusts are launched to remove "all power from the abbey" while maintaining the Benedictine connection for parents.