English archbishop orders investigation of bishop's relationship with married woman

October 17, 2014

Archbishop Peter Smith of Southwark, England, has commission an investigation into the case of Bishop Kieran Conry, who resigned his post as head of the Arundel and Brighton diocese last month after admitting to an improper relationship with a woman.

As metropolitan of the region in which the Arundel and Brighton diocese is located, Archbishop Smith chose to appoint an independent investigator. A spokesman for the archbishop said that the inquiry would focus on “Bishop Conry’s relationship with potentially vulnerable female adults.”

Bishop Conry, in admitting his misconduct, had said that he had been engaged in an adult, consensual relationship. But the husband of a woman who was involved with the bishop has charged that Bishop Conry took advantage of her emotional vulnerability and his position as a counselor.

 

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Further information:

• Archbishop orders inquiry into Kieran Conry resignation over 'relationship with potentially vulnerable female adults' (Tablet)
• Pope accepts resignation of English bishop who admitted misconduct; bishop, husband grant interviews (CWN, 10/6)