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Archbishops are “colluding” to dismiss an abuse investigation, a victim has claimed.
Dame Sarah Mullally, who is the current Bishop of London, will legally become the Church of England’s top bishop in a ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral on Jan 28.
However, it was revealed in December that she has been the subject of a complaint over her handling of an abuse allegation in which a victim, known as Survivor N, was allegedly groped and had sexual comments made to him by a priest.
The complaint was being looked into by the Archbishop of York, the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell. On Thursday, he decided to dismiss the complaint against her.
However, The Telegraph understands that the Archbishop of York made the decision while he is also the subject of a complaint made by Survivor N, known as a clergy discipline measure (CDM), regarding his “conflict of interest” in the matter.
As a result, N told The Telegraph: “Bishop Sarah and Archbishop Stephen have colluded to dismiss any investigation surrounding the abuse that I reported.
He said: “For five years, Sarah Mullally and Lambeth Palace buried my clergy abuse complaints, and colluded with the abuser vicar in harassing me as a complainant – which drove me to multiple suicide attempts.
Andrew Graystone, an advocate for victims of Church-related abuse, described the CDM process as “incestuous”.
He said: “No one will be surprised that the Archbishop of York has dismissed the complaint against his friend and colleague, the incoming Archbishop of Canterbury, given that in three weeks’ time it will be her job to pass judgment on disciplinary complaints against him.
Source: Archbishops ‘colluded’ to dismiss abuse investigation, victim claims