Church apologises to bishop’s abuse ‘victims’
But police say there’s NO evidence late cleric was guilty
THE Church of England yesterday named a longdead bishop as a paedophile and apologised to survivors of his alleged abuse.
The outing of former Bishop of Chester, Hubert Victor Whitsey, who died 30 years ago, followed a police investigation which failed to find him guilty but said that if he were alive today he would be interviewed over the allegations.
Archbishop of York the Most Reverend John Sentamu and the current Bishop of Chester, the Right Reverend Dr Peter Forster, put out a joint statement which said: ‘We are deeply sorry and apologise to those who have come forward to share their account of abuse by a bishop in the Church of England who was in a position of power and authority.’
Church leaders are now considering paying compensation to as many as 13 individuals.
Bishop Whitsey, who was 71 at the time of his death, was until yesterday regarded as a hard-working cleric. The allegations against him date from 1974 and say abuse took place in Bishop’s House, the traditional home of the Bishop of Chester, where Whitsey lived with his wife Jean until his retirement in 1981. The bishop is survived by his 93year-old widow and three children.
A police inquiry began last year after an email containing allegations was sent to the COFE Chester diocese safeguarding officer, former social worker Pauline Butterfield.
The Cheshire police report said inquiries had discovered further victims, with the youngest aged 13. Five said they had previously complained to Church authorities, but police said only one had been confirmed. This was said to have been made by a young man the day after an alleged incident in 1981.
Assistant Chief Constable Nick Bailey said had the bishop been alive he would have been interviewed about allegations by ten people, but he added ‘it is important to remember this is not an indication of guilt’.
The report said all of the complaints ‘were of a sexual nature and occurred primarily within the home of the Bishop of Chester’.
It adds: ‘There is no information that supports or undermines the disclosures made by the witnesses during this investigation.’
However it revealed that the witnesses were not known to each other and ‘it is clear that the impact of the alleged abuse they have suffered has been significant and has affected their lives’.
One of the alleged victims said: ‘I remember him coming at me with shaking hands, and I remember the last time I closed the door on my parish church realising that I was utterly alone with horrific memories I could share with no one.’
Archbishop Sentamu and Bishop Forster said: ‘Sexual abuse is a heinous crime – and is an absolute and shameful breach of trust. We are offering pastoral support to all those who have come forward.’
However, former defence minister Sir Gerald Howarth said it was wrong for historic sex abuse inquiries to smear the reputation of dead men when guilt has not been proved. He added: ‘This report is unjust and serves the interest of nobody.’
An independent report into allegations against former Bishop of Chichester George Bell, who died in 1958, is due soon, and there is speculation it will clear his name.
But Church leaders have already condemned Bishop Bell and paid £15,000 in compensation after a woman complained she had been abused in his palace. One campaigner to restore Bishop Bell’s reputation said last night: ‘I suspect the allegations against Bishop Whitsey are timed to take the wind out of the sails of the Bell report.’
‘A shameful breach of trust’