A recent criticism against disgraced priest David Tudor has been upheld by a Southwark Diocese tribunal.
Tudor was formerly a rector within the Diocese of Chelmsford and Diocese of Southwark. Last yr he was banned from ministry for all times after he admitted that sexual abuse allegations against him by two other women were true.
An extra allegation against Tudor was considered by a separate tribunal held this month. It has concluded that he sexually abused a 15-year-old girl when he was a priest within the Diocese of Southwark within the Nineteen Eighties.
Commenting on this latest tribunal decision, the Bishop of Chelmsford, Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani said: “I would like to thank sincerely the lady who brought this criticism, and to say how grateful I used to be to have the opportunity to fulfill together with her earlier this yr.
“She has shown great courage in coming forward to report David Tudor’s abuse and I’m profoundly sorry for the harm he has caused her and the opposite survivors of the abuse he perpetrated.”
The Church of England imposed a lifelong ministry ban on Tudor in October 2024 after upholding complaints from two other women, also regarding his time as a priest within the Diocese of Southwark. During that tribunal, he admitted to serious sexual abuse against two teenage girls.
The National Safeguarding Team (NST) along with the dioceses of Southwark and Chelmsford subsequently launched the David Tudor Safeguarding Practice Review to look at its safeguarding measures.
The review initially had a six-month deadline but this has now been prolonged “on account of recent police information”, and is predicted to conclude in early 2026.
Anyone affected by this update can receive support through the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056, the Safe Spaces Website or by contacting the National Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@churchofengland.org.
