A leading conservative evangelical minister was "neglectful" and demonstrated "passivity" in relation to allegations of abuse, a church ruling says.
A Bishop’s Disciplinary Tribunal for the Diocese of London says it is upholding a complaint made against Andrew Cornes regarding his actions in response to allegations of abuse by the late John Smyth.
Cornes, who is retired from the Diocese of Chichester, is one of several church leaders who have been facing a Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM) after being mentioned in the Makin Review.
He has been a member of the Crown Nominations Commission, which helps appoint bishops, and was a diocesan representative on the General Synod over the last five years.
Brought by the Director of the National Safeguarding Team (NST), the complaint alleged that Cornes failed to take any, or any sufficient, action in response to a disclosure of abuse made to him by a victim of Smyth.
The tribunal says that Cornes did receive information about abuse by Smyth from a victim in 1982, when he was serving as an assistant curate of All Souls’ Langham place. It further determined that Cornes failed in his duty to protect the young and vulnerable by acting to report the information.
“Having considered all the evidence presented, we do not consider that the respondent acted on the information in a way which was appropriate or to be expected even in 1982,” the tribunal’s judgement said, describing his inaction as "neglectful".
“His [Cornes’] response of lack of action suggests a certain degree of passivity regarding the seriousness of the disclosures and lack of foresight into the consequences of the disclosures for the individuals and the wider church congregation.”
The tribunal imposed a conditional 12-month discharge for Cornes. A further decision with reasons is due to be published at a later date.
The Church of England’s Lead Safeguarding Bishop, Robert Springett, and National Safeguarding Director Alexander Kubeyinje said: “We acknowledge the Tribunal's decision and welcome the outcome while recognising that this judgment cannot undo the harm, pain, and lasting impact experienced by victims and survivors.
“The National Safeguarding Team pursued this matter because we believed it was right to do so based on the information available to us and in line with the relevant policies and procedures for bringing complaints of misconduct.
“This was an important part of responding well and listening to the voices of victims and survivors who had suffered horrendous abuse at the hands of Smyth. We remain committed to advocating for victims and survivors and to seeking accountability where safeguarding concerns are identified."
The NST brought complaints under the Clergy Discipline Measure against ten members of clergy who were criticised in the Makin Review. The allegation against Cornes was one of four complaints that have been referred to a tribunal or court for determination.
Help and support
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this story, help is available via: FearFree Support (www.fearfree.org.uk); the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 / safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk; The Samaritans helpline - 116 123; The National Association for People Abused in Childhood napac.org.uk.
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