The Rev Tim Davis, vicar of Christ Church, Abingdon, in Oxfordshire, has been “prohibited from the exercise of holy orders” by a church tribunal panel that met on Saturday.
If the clergyman wishes to return to ministry at the end of the ban he will need to undergo formal risk assessment, the diocese of Oxford said.
Davis was found guilty in January of “conduct unbecoming or inappropriate to the office and work of a clerk in holy orders through the abuse of spiritual power and authority over a person then aged 15-16”.
In the first judgment of its kind, the C of E tribunal said the teenager, referred to as W1, was “deprived of his freedom of choice” as to whether to continue with mentoring sessions.
“Under the guise of his authority [Davis] sought to control by the use of admonition, scripture, prayer and revealed prophecy the life of W1 and/or his relationship with his girlfriend.”
Davis, who is in his 50s, moved into the family home and engaged W1 in prayer and bible study for two-hour sessions in the boy’s bedroom. The vicar also went on holiday with the family.
W1 described being mentored by Davis as all-consuming but did not feel able to challenge the priest. He told the tribunal that Davis became angry if he did not ring him or respond to texts.
W1’s mother, who worked at the church, also felt unable to challenge Davis because he was her boss and had made it clear that God wanted his mentoring of W1 to continue. She told the tribunal she “was scared of going against God”.
Source: theguardian
No comments:
Post a Comment