News reports continued over the week-end concerning the resignation of former C of I cleric William Stewart from his parish post in the C of E. Mr Stewart headed the CORE project in inner church work in Dublin before he appeared in a Dublin court accused of inappropriate sexual behaviour with a younger man, to which he pleaded guilty. A Dublin based web site has continued to comment upon the situation.
CNI is currently reviewing material which has been published. It should be a matter of the utmost concern that the C of E diocese in which Mr Stewart was ministering stated that
“In appointing William Stewart the diocese followed the normal procedure of seeking assurance from the Church of Ireland that he was a priest in good standing, and a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check was made and returned clear.
“On this basis he was offered the post of Rector of the Chet Valley Benefice in good faith.”
Vicar stands down after online claims over his past
Belfast Telegraph – A Vicar originally from Northern Ireland has stepped down from his post in England after information about a past alleged offence was posted online.
Rev William Stewart had been working as rector of the Chet Valley Benefice in Norfolk before resigning on Sunday.
The 53-year-old had worked in the Republic for 30 years before moving to the Norfolk area with his family.
In a statement, the Bishop of Thetford, the Rt Rev Alan Winton, said Rev Stewart had been the subject of a “campaign focused on a matter from his past”.
He said a criminal records check had been made to police and was returned clear.
“A number of parishioners have been supportive of him and his family but he has increasingly felt that under the present circumstances, he is no longer able to continue his ministry,” he said.
“In appointing William Stewart the diocese followed the normal procedure of seeking assurance from the Church of Ireland that he was a priest in good standing, and a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check was made and returned clear.
“On this basis he was offered the post of Rector of the Chet Valley Benefice in good faith.”
Rev Stewart and his wife Ruth started an Anglican church community in the Republic 1998 and it was originally situated in St Werburgh’s church, located just outside the walls of Dublin Castle.
The CORE church — City Outreach through Renewal and Evangelism — grew, and moved in 1998 to St Catherine’s Church on Thomas Street, where it remains.
In 2004, Rev Stewart and his wife left CORE, with the support of the Archbishop of Dublin, The Most Rev John Neill. Rev Stewart was inducted and installed at Holy Trinity Church in Loddon, Norfolk, back in June 2011.
Bishop Winton said when information about Rev Stewart was posted on the internet, the diocese consulted Norfolk Police.
He said he was told Rev Stewart did not have a criminal record and regarded the matter as a “diocesan responsibility to manage in accordance with its normal procedures”.
Bishop Winton said Rev Stewart had made an “excellent start in his new ministry”.
“However, as a result of the information published on the internet, he has increasingly found the strain on him and his family to be too much, and has tendered his resignation,” he said.
Last night a spokesman for the Diocese of Norwich said Mr Stewart was “away”.
Willi Stewart, Loddon vicar, resigns after ‘campaign focused on his past’
BBC – A Norfolk vicar has resigned after information about a past alleged offence was posted online.
The Rev William Stewart, rector of the Chet Valley Benefice, told his congregation of his decision on Sunday.
The Rt Rev Alan Winton, Bishop of Thetford, said Mr Stewart had left due to a “campaign focused on a matter from his past”.
He said Mr Stewart had been appointed in good faith after a Criminal Records Bureau check came back clear.
Mr Stewart, 53, known as Willi, was appointed to his post, based in Loddon, in June 2011.
Originally from Northern Ireland, Mr Stewart worked in the Republic of Ireland for 30 years before moving to Norfolk with his family.
‘Strain too much’
In a statement, Bishop Winton said: “In recent months he has been the subject of a campaign focused on a matter from his past.
“A number of parishioners have been supportive of him and his family but he has increasingly felt that under the present circumstances, he is no longer able to continue his ministry.
“In appointing William Stewart the diocese followed the normal procedure of seeking assurance from the Church of Ireland that he was a priest in good standing, and a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check was made and returned clear.
“On this basis he was offered the post of Rector of the Chet Valley Benefice in good faith.
“When information about William was posted on the internet, the diocese consulted Norfolk Police.”
He said police advised that the matter was the responsibility of the diocese “to manage in accordance with its normal procedures”.
Mr Stewart has made an “excellent start” in his new ministry, he added.
“However, as a result of the information published on the internet, he has increasingly found the strain on him and his family to be too much, and has tendered his resignation.
We are continuing to support both William Stewart and his family, and the Benefice of the Chet Valley.”
A Diocese of Norwich spokeswoman said Mr Stewart was “away”.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-20238080