Pope removes clerical status of convicted priest

A Catholic priest who was convicted of child sexual abuse has been stripped of his clerical status.

Dennis Finbow, of Martlesham, near Ipswich, Suffolk, was jailed in March 2023 for six and a half years for abusing a young girl in the 1980s while he worked in Dogsthorpe, Peterborough.

Following the conviction, Pope Francis has removed Finbow's clerical status and rights as a Catholic priest

Andrew Lord, a solicitor from Leigh Day who represents survivors of abuse, said: "While no action can fully erase the harm Finbow caused, we are encouraged that the Catholic Church is taking measures to hold him accountable."

Finbow, who had also served in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, had retired and not been in active ministry since 2001.

After a trial at Huntingdon Crown Court in January 2023, he was told he would be on the sex offenders' register for life.

Bishop Peter Collins, from the Diocese of East Anglia, confirmed Finbow had his clerical status and rights as a Catholic priest removed by Pope Francis after the conviction.

He said: "As I promised when Dennis Finbow was convicted and jailed last March, the Diocese has followed the process of canon law outlined in our policies and procedures and can announce that he has now been laicised.

"We wish to reiterate our willingness to listen and support anyone affected by abuse and all victims of child sexual abuse are in my prayers.

"We would encourage any victim of child sexual abuse perpetrated within the Catholic Church context to make contact either directly through our Safeguarding Office or with Safe Spaces, our victim support service."

Mr Lord, said: "We welcome the Diocese of East Anglia's decision to remove Dennis Finbow's clerical status following his conviction for the horrific abuse of a vulnerable child."

"It is crucial that institutions support survivors of abuse and prioritise safeguarding children."

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