‘Rambling’ vicar axed by Church for adultery
A VICAR nicknamed the “Rambling Reverend” has been banned from practising in the Church after admitting he cheated on his wife with a parishioner.
The Rev Chris Stuart previously claimed that he resigned after a walking holiday made him “realise the things that were important in my life and crystallised the decision to resign in my mind”. He also said he wanted to spend more time caring for his wife, who was suffering from anorexia. But a parishioner, who did not want to be named, said Dr Stuart had been having an affair with a member of the congregation, which began in 2016, and led to the birth of a child.
The Diocese of Worcester has now confirmed that the 43-year-old has been suspended from ministerial duties. A spokesman said: “The Rev Dr Chris Stuart, Vicar of St John in Bedwardine and St Clement and Lower Broadheath, was recently subject to a complaint under the Clergy Discipline Measure, of conduct unbecoming of a priest, having admitted adultery. As a result, Chris resigned his post and accepted a penalty of two years’ prohibition from ministry as a priest.” Last year the vicar appeared in his local paper after completing 270 miles of the Pennine Way to raise money for charity. He now has a blog entitled “The Rambling Reverend”, about his walks.
Speaking previously about the allegations Dr Stuart said he had resigned because he wanted to care for his wife Sarah, also 43. He said: “My wife and I have been through a very difficult and traumatic time around the pressure our marriage has been under because of her illness.
“I’m not going to go into the ins and outs of her situation, but it has been a massive strain on her. We’ve been put under an enormous amount of pressure because of her illness. I’ve asked my congregation to be there for us, and that’s really all I want to say.
“All I want to stress to you is that at this very difficult time, I’ve had to resign to support my wife. Whatever people may want to speculate as to the causes of that, I made it clear to the congregation that when I resigned I wanted to be there for Sarah. We are together, we’re staying together, we want her to get better together.”
He was curate at Pershore Abbey before taking the position at St John-inbedwardine Church, in Worcester, in Oct 2009. But the Diocese of Worcester started an investigation when the alleged affair came to light.