THE founding father of Soul Survivor, the Revd Mike Pilavachi, has received a written warning after disciplinary proceedings concerning a particular safeguarding criticism related to his time in ordained ministry, it was announced on Thursday.
An announcement from the lead bishop for safeguarding, the Bishop of Stepney, Dr Joanne Grenfell (News, 4 July 2023), and the C of E’s national safeguarding director, Alex Kubeyinje, said that an allegation of misconduct was brought by the National Safeguarding Team (NST) under the Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM). It related to the period after 2012 when Mr Pilavachi was ordained and was, due to this fact, subject to the CDM. The allegation concerned “Mr Pilavachi’s verbal interactions with a vulnerable person”.
Besides founding Soul Survivor, Mr Pilavachi was also Associate Pastor of Soul Survivor, Watford, within the diocese of St Albans.
A bishop from outside the diocese, who has not been named, considered the allegation and Mr Pilavachi’s response. The bishop concluded that no further motion must be taken on the precise allegation, but said that Mr Pilavachi’s conduct had “fallen in need of that expected of a priest within the Church of England”.
As a result, Mr Pilavachi had been issued with advice and a written warning, the statement said. It went on to say that the Deputy President of Tribunals had “determined that the selections to take no further motion and issue a warning and advice were properly made”.
The statement continued: “We commend the courage of the vulnerable one who got here forward and gave clear evidence of the harm done of their life. We have been in touch with them throughout the method and offered continued support which is on offer to all those that have come forward and shared their experiences.”
Many of the well-publicised accusations of abuse which have been levelled at Mr Pilavachi — which include “inappropriate massages” — fall outside of the scope of the CDM, because they pre-date his ordination.
Last April, Mr Pilavachi agreed to “step back from all ministry” at Soul Survivor, after reports of safeguarding concerns (News, 3 April 2023). He subsequently resigned as Associate Pastor of Soul Survivor, Watford, saying: “I seek forgiveness from any whom I actually have hurt through the course of my ministry (News, 11 July 2023).
The statement on Thursday of last week made clear that he currently doesn’t have a licence to minister, and said that “should he want to return to any ministry within the Church of England this will likely be fully risk assessed”.
An investigation last summer by the NST and the diocese of St Albans concluded that safeguarding concerns were “substantiated” (News, 7 September).
Premier News reported the one who made the criticism as saying that she was “devastated” by the consequence of the CDM process.
“It isn’t proportionate to the harm I actually have experienced by the hands of Mike Pilavachi and Soul Survivor, and the impact this has had on my life.
“While I’m truly grateful for the sensitivity and support of the diocesan and national safeguarding teams, this consequence leaves me questioning why I got here forward, and whether the Church of England is a protected place for me.”
From 1995 to 2019, Mr Pilavachi fronted the Soul Survivor festivals, gaining significant prominence within the Church of England — and receiving an award from the Archbishop of Canterbury for evangelism (Gazette, 3 July 2020).
