Pope revokes clerical status of priest convicted of child abuse

The clerical status of a Catholic priest, convicted of child sexual abuse, has been revoked. Dennis Finbow, from Martlesham, near Ipswich, Suffolk, received a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence in March 2023. This was for abusing a young girl during the 1980s, a period when he was employed in Dogsthorpe, Peterborough. Subsequent to his conviction, Pope Francis has divested Finbow of his clerical status and his entitlements as a Catholic priest. Andrew Lord, a solicitor with Leigh Day, who acts on behalf of abuse survivors, stated: “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 previously served in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, had retired and ceased active ministry in 2001. Following a trial conducted at Huntingdon Crown Court in January 2023, he was informed that he would be placed on the sex offenders’ register permanently. Bishop Peter Collins of the Diocese of East Anglia verified that Pope Francis had removed Finbow’s clerical status and rights as a Catholic priest subsequent to the conviction. He commented: “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.” Bishop Collins further stated: “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 remarked: “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.” He added: “It is crucial that institutions support survivors of abuse and prioritise safeguarding children.” For updates on Cambridgeshire news, information is available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Details regarding its approach to external linking are also provided.