"Appropriate Penalty" May Be Imposed by St Albans Bishop on Luton Vicar James Ogley Jailed for Encouraging Girl, 13, to Commit Sex Offences

Luton on Sunday
September 30, 2014

http://www.luton-dunstable.co.uk/Appropriate-penalty-imposed-St-Albans-Bishop/story-23025798-detail/story.html

THE Diocese of St Albans has said it may impose an ‘appropriate penalty’ on a Luton vicar was jailed for two years after encouraging a teenage girl to commit child sex offences.

Revd James Ogley, Vicar of St Francis, Luton, was jailed yesterday (September 30) at Luton Crown Court. He had pleaded guilty to seven charges of publishing obscene material in the form of chat logs.

In one of them he had told a 13-year-old girl to sexually abuse her nine-year-old sister.

The Diocese of St Albans said Revd Ogley had been suspended from all his duties as a clergyman and as vicar in January 2013 following his arrest by the police. He is still suspended.

In a statement, the Diocese said the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith, ‘may now impose an appropriate penalty under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003’, adding that the penalty will be made known when the Bishop completes his deliberations.

Following Revd Ogley’s sentencing, the Bishop of Bedford, the Rt Revd Richard Atkinson, said: “The sentence reflects the gravity of James Ogley’s actions.

“The Church of England and anyone entering one of our churches rightly expect the highest standards of behaviour from clergy and all those holding office.

“James Ogley’s behaviour fell far short of that standard.

“Although none of the charges related to any activity at St Francis Church, Luton, I’d like to reassure people that we have well-established procedures and remain constantly vigilant to make our churches as safe as possible to all who enter them.

“Our first thought is always for the victims in these cases.

“As there has been, as the court heard, no identifiable victim in this case, that must be left to the realm of prayer.

“My prayers are also with all those affected by his actions and with the people of his parish.”