The Roman Catholic Church is to launch a review of child protection across the South West of England after a religious official investigating child sex abuse allegations was convicted of paedophilia.
Christopher Jarvis, a former social worker, is due to be sentenced later today for the possession of 4,000 indecent images of children.
Jarvis, 49, worked as the child safeguarding officer for the Diocese of Plymouth, where he had been responsible for child protection matters at 120 churches and community groups for nine years.
Before his arrest, he was leading an investigation into allegations of historic sexual abuse at Buckfast Abbey in Devon.
The review has been ordered by the Rt Rev Christopher Budd, the Bishop of Plymouth, after concerns were raised over the church’s handling of clerical sex abuse allegations.
More at:
BBC News – Catholic bishop orders South West child protection review
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-15491833
Daily Telegraph –
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8854832/Church-inquiry-after-official-convicted-of-paedophilia.html