Inappropriate communications breached protection code for young people
The outcome of a disciplinary tribunal concerning the Revd I.A. Williamson has been made known in a statement by the Archbishop of Armagh to the parishioners of the parochial group of Errigle Keerogue, Ballygawley and Killeshill at services today, Sunday 13 March 2011.
The statement reads : ‘On the 26 June 2009, I suspended the Revd Ivan Alister Williamson from his duties as incumbent of the parochial group of Errigle Keerogue, Ballygawley and Killeshill pending the formal investigation of a complaint which I had lodged against him under Chapter VIII of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland. The Disciplinary Tribunal of the Church of Ireland, having investigated the complaint, has now found Mr Alister Williamson to be guilty of conduct unbecoming to the sacred calling of a person in holy orders. The Tribunal heard evidence that Mr Williamson had entered into electronic communications of a sexual nature with a young person (over the age of 16) and had engaged in electronic communications of a sexual nature with other named individuals which the Tribunal determined were inappropriate. The Tribunal also held that by engaging in the aforementioned conduct and by allowing an inappropriate personal relationship to develop with a young person Mr Williamson acted in breach of the current Church of Ireland child protection policy, Safeguarding Trust.
‘The Disciplinary Tribunal has ordered that Mr Williamson be permanently deprived of his office as incumbent of the parochial group of Errigle Keerogue, Ballygawley and Killeshill and that he be deposed from holy orders. The order deposing him from holy orders is subject to a stay for a period of one year and shall not be implemented if satisfactory medical reports are received.’