Sussex Churchgoers Urged to Be on Lookout for Abuse

The Argus
March 19, 2012

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/9599030.Sussex_churchgoers_urged_to_be_on_lookout_for_abuse/

Priests and parishioners have been urged to act as the eyes of the community by looking for child abusers within the clergy.

The Acting Bishop of Chichester, the Right Reverend Mark Sowerby, has written to members of the clergy across the county warning them they need to be vigilant and help "root out" offenders.

His letter follows the arrests of two former Church of England priests on suspicion of sexually abusing young people between the 1960s and 1980s.

The letter, which he addressed to "brothers and sisters in Christ", has also been read out to congregations at churches across Sussex.

In it he urges people not "to collude with perpetrators of abuse by failing to report what they ought to report to the police".

A Diocese of Chichester spokeswoman yesterday said the letter was well received by the church community.

She said: "He is saying, 'If you suspect something, come forward. Be mindful of people'."

In the address Bishop Mark promised: "We will expose whatever needs to be brought into the light to make sure that our children are safe communities for children and vulnerable adults."

He said that "every possible step" would be taken to "root out anyone who is guilty of sexual offences with children or vulnerable adults".

Retired Church of England priest Robert Coles, 70, and retired canon Gordon Rideout, 73, both from Eastbourne, have both been arrested by detectives investigating historic allegations of sex abuse against young people and released on bail.

Bishop Mark, who said he could not comment on the arrests but admitted they must have come as a "shock to many people", said: "Abuse of a fellow human being by any Christian is a scandalous betrayal of the gospel that inflicts terrible harm.

"The damage done by such abuse can be lifelong affecting every area of a person's life. In addition to working for justice we must respond with compassion and acceptance to those who have been abused.

"The church must be a place where victims know they will be heard.

"Every allegation must be taken seriously, so let us be careful listeners to those who have already suffered and vigilant in looking and listening out for what ought to give us concern now."

His letter has been published on the Diocese of Chichester's website and on local church websites.

A helpline, manned by staff at the NSPCC, has been set up on 0800 3895344 for anyone who has been affected.