Sex shame of suicide minister
...as 3 women are ‘disciplined’
A MINISTER who killed himself after his wife accused him of having a string of affairs was condemned by his own church last night.
An investigation into the private life of Rev Dr Iain D Campbell found his conduct was ‘seriously inconsistent with that expected of a Christian minister’, as it emerged three women have been disciplined. Father-of-three Dr Campbell, 53, of Point Free Church on Lewis, committed suicide in January.
The Rev James MacIver said: ‘The Presbytery has concluded elements of Dr Campbell’s conduct were contrary to the Word of God.’
‘Contrary to the Word of God’ ‘There was no cover-up’
A MINISTER who committed suicide amid allegations that he was having a string of affairs with women in his congregation was condemned last night by his own church.
An investigation into the private life of Rev Dr Iain D Campbell found his ‘moral conduct’ was ‘contrary to the Word of God’ and ‘seriously inconsistent with that expected of a Christian minister’.
The rebuke by the Free Church came at the end of a probe into rumours of affairs that spread following the death of Dr Campbell, of Point Free Church on Lewis, in January. In a scandal that shocked the isle, the 53-year-old killed himself after his wife accused him of having up to seven affairs. The church’s findings reinforce the claims the minister did have affairs with three women.
And it has emerged that three women have been disciplined, with one suspended from ‘sealing ordinance,’ which means she is banned from taking any sacraments. The ‘disciplinary action’ is believed to involved admonishing and rebuking the women at the Kirk Session.
Dr Campbell died on January 28 and emails were handed to the church as part of its investigation. His 53-year-old wife Anne is said to have handed over the names of his alleged mistresses to the church. The investigation was carried out by the all-male panel, comprising ministers and elders, following strict rules laid out in the Book of Church Order of the Free Church, known as the Blue Book.
And just as in the criminal system, witnesses were cited, statements taken and cross examination allowed before ‘judges’ delivered a verdict. There is also a right of appeal.
The procedure is voluntary, but formal, and the Blue Book’s rules on fornication and adultery are that those found guilty are suspended from religious rituals.
Issuing a statement from the Free Church of Scotland’s Western Isles Presbytery, the Rev James MacIver, minister of Stornoway Free Church, said: ‘The Western Isles Presbytery has completed a thorough investigation into serious allegations about the conduct of the late Rev Dr Iain D Campbell prior to his death. The Presbytery has now sadly concluded that elements of Dr Campbell’s moral conduct were contrary to, and censurable by, the Word of God (Bible), and seriously inconsistent with that expected of a Christian minister.
‘Following the investigation, each local Kirk Session has carried out appropriate disciplinary action, according to guidelines laid down in the Practice of the Free Church of Scotland.
‘Bearing in mind that the Church has a duty of care to all parties, this has been carried out in private.’
Mr MacIver said that the Presbytery ‘will continue to consider how to bring this sad episode to a conclusion and what we may learn from it’. He added: ‘The last few weeks have been a deeply distressing time for all concerned. The Presbytery would appeal to everyone within the Free Church of Scotland for unity and prayerfulness.
‘The Presbytery wishes to particularly remember Iain’s wife, Anne, and the rest of the family. We urge the Church to pray for them, and for all those affected by recent tragic events, that God will provide comfort and healing for them.’
The matter will be considered further by the General Assembly, which will offer direction.
Mr MacIver added: ‘There was no cover-up nor thoughts of a cover-up. Though ministers have been accused of knowing something going on before, we knew nothing till after he had died and it was the family who brought accusations to the Presbytery.’