A West Bromwich vicar has today been removed from office and prohibited from serving as a priest for the next 10 years after being found guilty of “conduct unbecoming to the office and work of a clerk in Holy Orders”.
The judgement came today at the conclusion of a tribunal set up under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003. The Revd Dr Patrick Okechi, Vicar of the Church of the Good Shepherd with St John in West Bromwich, was suspended from his duties in August 2006 after a complaint of an adulterous relationship was received by the Bishop of Lichfield.
Today, the bishop said he was ‘extremely disappointed’ by Mr Okechi’s conduct, and expressed ‘serious concern’ at the length of time taken to resolve the complaint.
The Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill said: “I am extremely disappointed by Patrick Okechi’s behaviour. The public, quite rightly, expect members of the clergy to behave with integrity and to be an example to others. Mr Okechi has let down not only himself but also his fellow clergy and his parishioners. And by denying the allegation he has compounded his guilt and caused unnecessary suffering to a parish which has gone through a very difficult time over the past couple of years.”
He added: “Complaints about members of the clergy can have serious consequences on all concerned; it is right that complaints are thoroughly investigated so the question of guilt or innocence can be determined. But it is clear that the complaints under the Clergy Discipline Measure are taking too long to be resolved and I will be calling on the General Synod to review the workings of the measure.”
He added: “But that is in the future. For now, I will ask my colleagues the Bishop of Wolverhampton and the Archdeacon of Walsall to set in train the process of finding a new permanent minister for the Church of the Good Shepherd with St John so that they can put this whole sorry affair behind them and look to the future with renewed hope and optimism.
“I would also like to put on the record my heartfelt thanks to the church wardens and congregation at the church, and also to the Revd Roger Harper who has been serving as interim minister during the time of Patrick’s suspension, for keeping the ministry and mission going during what have been particularly difficult times”.
ENDS
NOTES:
1. Click here for the full text of the judgement
2. The Disciplinary Tribunal has made an order under Rule 49 of the Clergy Discipline Rules 2005 to the effect that the actual name, and any identifying details of the person described in their decision as ‘Mrs A’ or any member of her family must not be published or otherwise made public, being satisfied that this is desirable to protect the private life of Mrs A. Mrs A is the complainant.