On 21 July 2023, the Diocese of Oxford issued the Press Release Learning Lessons Review: Revd Michael Hall concerning the independent report by Elaine and Patrick Hopkinson. In April 2022, the Diocese commissioned a safeguarding case review into allegations of spiritual abuse connected with St Margaret’s, Tylers Green, High Wycombe between 1981 and 2000. At the time we noted:

“the members of the review team believe that Revd Hall’s behaviour would, if it occurred today, be described as spiritual abuse which is now understood to include coercion and control, manipulation and pressuring of individuals, through the misuse of religious texts and scripture and providing a ‘divine’ rationale for behaviour”.

Extracts from the Press Release are reproduced below, and a copy of the Learning Lessons Review (LLR) is available here. A later post will consider the aspects of spiritual abuse addressed in the Report.

Press Release

“In April 2022, the Diocese of Oxford commissioned a safeguarding case review into allegations of spiritual abuse connected with St Margaret’s, Tylers Green, High Wycombe between 1981 and 2000. An initial Church investigation had concluded that on the balance of probabilities that Revd Hall had spiritually abused a significant number of the congregation, and that he had engaged in sexual inappropriate behaviour with members of the congregation, which was witnessed by children and young people. He was described as a bully and used methods including coercion and control, manipulation and pressuring of individuals, through the misuse of religious texts and scripture and providing a ‘divine’ rationale for behaviour”.

The Press Release then gives a Trigger Warning: “[t]he content on this page includes references to suicide, sexual behaviour, spiritual and financial abuse” and gives sources of help and support.” After this, it continues:

“In January 2020 a former member of the congregation at St Margaret’s Tylers Green tragically took their own life. On learning of the death, the current vicar raised serious concerns with the diocesan safeguarding team about the past behaviour of the previous incumbent, Rev. Michael Hall, towards members of the congregation including the deceased.

A safeguarding investigation secured statements from a number of witnesses over a prolonged period and included a comprehensive file review of archived documents. On conclusion of the investigation the diocese encouraged other witnesses to come forward and commissioned an independent Learning Lessons Review (LLR). The findings of the review are published in full so that we can all learn from what happened and use these learnings to inform further improvements in our safeguarding practice and policy.”