Background

In our analysis of the Annual Report of the Clergy Discipline Commission in 2018, (17 July 2019), we noted that the Code of Practice then stated:

“[265]. If a penalty is imposed on a priest or deacon other than after a determination by a tribunal, the penalty and brief particulars of the misconduct should be announced publicly”.

Nevertheless, the practice within the dioceses was not consistent; the web sites of some included notices of findings and penalties given to diocesan clergy, whereas others maintained a register of penalties imposed by the diocesan and area bishops in cases where there has been no tribunal; although accessible, this was held by the Registrar. At the time we suggested that in the interests of transparency, each diocese should adopt the more detailed format of reporting. Continue reading →