Cathedral Steward Brought Under-age Boy He Abused to Brighton Sauna

Brighton and Hove News
July 11, 2014

http://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2014/07/11/cathedral-steward-brought-under-age-boy-he-abused-to-brighton-sauna/31584

A cathedral steward who was jailed for sexually abusing boys over a 29-year period brought one of them to a sauna in Brighton.

Terence Banks, the former head steward of Chichester Cathedral and a BBC floor manager, was jailed for 16 years for abusing boys aged 11 to 15 years old.

Although his trial took place in May 2001, the details were contained in a church report, known as the Carmi Report, which was published this week although it was completed in 2004.

The report was published by the Diocese of Chichester, which has its main offices in New Church Road, Hove.

The diocese said that the report had proved invaluable in improving safeguarding procedures.

The delay in publishing it was criticised by one victim of abuse by a priest, Phil Johnson, of the Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors support group.

But the diocese said that it wanted “to shed light on past events, to aid learning, build trust and foster openness”. And it said that such reviews were not routinely published at that time.

Terence Banks

Eight members of the sexual abuse survivors group are due to meet the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby today (Friday 11 July).

Mr Johnson also criticised the choice of Elizabeth Butler-Sloss to head the over-arching inquiry into child abuse announced earlier this week by the Home Secretary Theresa May.

Mr Johnson told the BBC that Lady Butler-Sloss had wanted to exclude his allegations of abuse at the hands of a bishop from a public report.

He said that she told him that she “cared about the church” and “did not want to give the press a bishop”.

Baroness Butler-Sloss has been asked to look into how the government handled allegations of child abuse by senior politicians in the 1980s.

She faced calls to stand down when it came to light that one of those accused of covering up abuse was her late brother, the former Attorney-General Sir Michael Havers.

The Carmi Report was named after its author, social work consultant Edina Carmi, also known as Edi.

When it was published earlier this week Dr Warner and the Cathedral Chapter said: “Today, as we publish this report, first and foremost our thoughts are with the survivors and their families.

“The effects of abuse can last a lifetime and the passing of the years may or may not have resulted in any kind of healing.

“As Christians we are profoundly ashamed of abuse that has happened in church or church institutions.

“We extend our most sincere apologies to all survivors and their families, though we know that this can never repair the damage done.

“It is our sincere hope that those affected by these crimes will regard the publication of the report as a positive step.

The Bishop of Chichester Martin Warner

“Our intention is to shed light on past events, to aid learning, build trust and foster openness, not to cause further pain.

“In this way, the publication is intended to reinforce our commitment to a continuous review of our safeguarding practices and procedures.”

The report’s publication comes weeks before two former Brighton priests, including the former Bishop of Lewes Peter Ball, are due to appear at Lewes Crown Court.

Ball, 82, who began his career as a curate in Rottingdean in the 1950s, faces three charges.

He is accused of misconduct in a public office, indecently assaulting a 12 or 13-year-old boy and indecently a 19 or 20-year-old man.

The misconduct charge faced by Ball, of Langport, Somerset, accuses him of misusing his position and authority to manipulate and prevail upon others for his own sexual gratification.

He is due to stand trial with Vickery House, the former vicar of St Bartholomew’s Church in Brighton, who faces eight charges of indecent assault.

House, 68, of Brighton Road, Handcross, is accused of abusing a boy of 15 and five men ranging in age from 17 to 34 over a 16-year period before he retired.

House, who has also officiated at the Church of the Annunciation in Washington Street, Hanover, was arrested in November 2012.

The pair are due for a plea and case management hearing on Friday 1 August and their trial is scheduled to open on Monday 3 November.

The diocese said that its preparations for publishing the Carmi Report had included identifying sources of support for anyone who was affected.

The church said: “Anyone seeking support is invited to speak to Colin Perkins or Morag Keane from the Diocese of Chichester Safeguarding Team or to directly contact the Saturn Centre in Crawley which provides a range of services for anyone over the age of 14 who is a victim of sexual abuse.”

The diocesan safeguarding team can be contacted at Church House, Hove, on 01273 421021.

The Saturn Centre’s phone number is 01293 600469.