THE Bishop of Sheffield, Dr Pete Wilcox, has offered “an unreserved apology” after the conviction of Chris Brain, the founding father of the Nine O’Clock Service (NOS) in Sheffield, on charges of indecent assaults against nine women.
On Wednesday afternoon, the jury at Inner London Crown Court returned verdicts on 32 of the 37 charges against Mr Brain, 68, of Wilmslow, Cheshire. They found him guilty on 17 charges of indecent assault, and never guilty on 15 further charges.
The jury, which has been deliberating since Tuesday of last week, remains to be considering 4 further charges of indecent assault and considered one of rape. All the costs concern former worshippers on the NOS, and relate to the period between 1981 and 1995.
“As Bishop of Sheffield, I need to talk on to the survivors, their families and friends, and to everyone affected by these events,” Dr Wilcox said. “I’m deeply sorry for the harm you’ve suffered. I recognise that a mixed verdict might be profoundly painful: for some it could bring a measure of justice and relief, and for others it is going to feel incomplete, confusing, or retraumatising. Those reactions are comprehensible and I’m truly sorry for the continued hurt this brings.
“What happened was an appalling abuse of power and leadership that ought to never have occurred. Where concerns were raised previously and weren’t acted upon properly, that was a failing of the Church. For those institutional failures I offer an unreserved apology.”
Dr Wilcox said that the diocese was committed to supporting those affected, and would proceed to cooperate fully with the police and another authorities. “Our diocesan safeguarding team is on the market to listen, to supply practical support and to signpost to independent counselling and specialist services,” he said.
“As a part of our ongoing learning, I’ll commission an independent Safeguarding Practice Review (SPR). The detail and scope of this shall be decided within the Autumn, but will examine our safeguarding responses, culture, and processes in order that we will discover where lessons might be learned and strengthen best practice for the long run.
“Words won’t ever undo the harm that has been caused. We will, nonetheless, proceed to work to make sure the Church is a protected place for everybody — where concerns are taken seriously, where survivors are believed and supported, and where accountability and compassion guide our actions.
“My prayers remain with the survivors, their families, and all who’ve been affected by these events.”
The NOS, which Mr Brain led, began in Sheffield in 1986 and was celebrated for its ability to attract crowds of young people. But it collapsed in 1995 over allegations about Mr Brain’s behaviour, and concerns a few “cult-like” atmosphere.
The court heard that a few of the victims had been a part of a “homebase team” who taken care of Mr Brain and his family, and that they became often called the “Lycra nuns”, owing to their tight-fitting clothes (News, 8 August).
During the trial, Mr Brain admitted to having had sexual interactions with a few of the women, but said that these incidents had been consensual. The prosecution barrister, Tim Clark KC, nonetheless, suggested that “any capability they’d to consent had been removed by the domineering nature of the defendant, by his control over their entire lives, and by their absolute terror of being ostracised.”
The Bishop of Stepney, Dr Joanne Grenfell, the Church of England’s lead safeguarding bishop, and the National Safeguarding Director, Alexander Kubeyinje, have also issued a press release.
They said: “Our thoughts and prayers today are with the ladies who’ve bravely come forward to share their testimonies. The conviction of Chris Brain on 17 counts of indecent assault has resulted in lasting damage to their lives, and so they were an appalling abuse of power in leadership that ought to never have happened. We are truly sorry.”
Support is on the market via sheffdio.org/NOSsupport and Safe Spaces
