Archbishop of Southwark Peter Smith has ordered an inquiry into the events that led to the resignation of Bishop Kieran Conry of Arundel and Brighton, who stepped down this month after admitting he had broken his priestly vows.
This week, a diocesan spokesman said the investigation would “be undertaken in respect of Bishop Conry’s relationship with potentially vulnerable female adults”.
The inquiry will be headed by an approved independent investigator whose identity will not be made public, and will be managed by the safeguarding commission of the diocese of East Anglia. It is expected to report within three to four months, but its report will not be released. What happens next to Bishop Conry is likely to depend very much on the inquiry’s findings.
In his resignation statement, read out at all Masses in his former diocese, Bishop Conry said he wanted “to reassure you that my actions were not illegal and did not involve minors”.
However, the husband of one of the women said to have been involved with the bishop claims he took advantage of his wife, and another woman with whom he was also involved, because they came to him for support when they were going through difficult situations in their marriages. It is believed this will be the main focus for the inquiry, in which Bishop Conry and the women involved will be invited to participate.
Above: Bishop Emeritus Conry. Photo: CBCEW
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