Bishop celebrates Burnley FC’s return to Premier League
THE Bishop of Burnley, Dr Joe Kennedy, is “delighted” about Burnley FC’s return to the Premier League, after a house game on Easter Monday, at which the club beat Sheffield United 2-1. Dr Kennedy said: “The story of the Clarets [Burnley FC] can also be the story of the town: a friendly club and place where people of all ages and background are welcome. I do know this personally because, since becoming Bishop of Burnley last 12 months, my family and I even have been made so welcome by the individuals who live here as we get to know the town and surrounding areas.”
Barred priest pleads guilty over indecent images
GEOFFREY BAULCOMB, 79, of Eastbourne, a former Vicar of St Mary’s, Eastbourne, pleaded guilty on the Old Bailey on Tuesday to a few charges of possessing indecent images of a 16-year-old boy, together with indecent images of one other child, and almost 200 images of maximum pornography, including the abuse of animals. The Times reported on Wednesday that he had been in touch with Marius Gustavson, who was imprisoned for all times last 12 months for mutilating dozens of men, some as young as 16, and selling footage of the supposedly consensual acts online. The 16-year-old had been abused by Mr Gustavson’s group. Mr Baulcomb was last 12 months prohibited from ordained ministry for all times after receiving a police caution for possession of crystal meth and ketamine (News, 13 September 2024). He argued before the Bishop’s Tribunal that trying the drugs helped him in his pastoral ministry, nevertheless it concluded that there was “no realistic prospect” of his rehabilitation.
African Bishops and MPs call on Government to cancel debts
CHRISTIAN leaders from Africa have echoed UK voices in imploring the UK Government to compel private lenders to cancel debts. In a letter to the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, Anglican bishops in Africa and the UK warn that “unsustainable debt has been inflicting immense suffering upon people across the African continent for much too long.” A report published in 2024 by Christian Aid suggests that African governments spent greater than 50 times more on external debt payments than your entire UK aid budget to the continent in 2023. Thirty-two countries spent more on debt than health care, and 25 spent more on debt than education.
Drs Hartley and Walker tackle Dr Smith’s posts
THE Bishop of Newcastle, Dr Helen-Ann Hartley, is to succeed the Bishop of St Albans, Dr Alan Smith, because the President of the Rural Coalition. Dr Smith retires next month (News, 10 January). The Rural Coalition comprises 12 national organisations that seek to advertise a vision of a living, working countryside in England. The appointment underlined Dr Hartley’s longstanding interest in rural affairs, the Coalition said.
Dr Walker to be Convener of the Lords Spiritual
THE Bishop of Manchester, Dr David Walker, has been appointed Convener of the Lords Spiritual, to take over from the Bishop of St Albans, Dr Alan Smith, who’s retiring at the tip of May (News, 8 January).
Swansea & Brecon cleric sentenced for ‘abhorrent offences’
A RETIRED priest, the Revd Andrew Stephen Robinson, 76, at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court on Tuesday, received a 12-week suspended sentence for 2 years and was issued with a two-year Sexual Harm Prevention order, after admitting to 13 counts of possessing/making category A images, 20 counts of category B images, 196 counts of category C images, and 327 counts of possessing/making prohibited images of youngsters. He was ordained deacon in 1995, and his ministry was spent entirely within the diocese of Swansea & Brecon. He retired in 2014 and held permission to officiate within the diocese until January 2024. A Church in Wales spokesperson said: “These are abhorrent offences which exploit and promote the sexual abuse of youngsters. We condemn this behaviour within the strongest possible terms and we hold the victims of those offences in our prayers. We are grateful to the police and to our own safeguarding team for his or her work on this matter. There isn’t any place for any type of abuse within the Church in Wales.”
