The Church of England has launched an investigation after it was revealed that the Bishop of Carlisle wrote a character reference for a vicar who last week was jailed for sexually abusing girls as young as nine.
The Right Rev James Newcome had already withdrew the reference he wrote in April for Robert Bailey, 71, and Bishop James has apologised.
The church’s national safeguarding team has launched an investigation into the submission of the reference.
Bailey was jailed for eight years and four months by Swindon Crown Court after he admitted four counts of child sexual assault.
Bailey had served as an honorary canon of Carlisle Cathedral from 2005 to 2011 and had also worked for the church in Cumbria at Cartmel.
Formerly of Brampton, he had applied to be a Church of England duty priest in the Loweswater with Buttermere parish in 2017 as he returned to Cumbria after having retired to Wiltshire.
He was offered the position in January 2018, subject to all safeguarding checks being completed.
Bailey withdrew his application after being questioned by police after allegations of sexual assault were made against him.
A statement from the Diocese of Carlisle said: “He had returned to live in Cumbria shortly before Christmas 2019 but had no permission to officiate or pastoral responsibility in this diocese. “He cannot minister anywhere and the legal process of having him barred from ministry for the rest of his life is underway.”
Bishop James issued a “heartfelt apology” for giving his reference in a pre-sentence report and vowed to learn from the Church of England’s investigation.
The Bishop of Carlisle said: “Robert Bailey was a vicar in the Diocese of Carlisle from 1999 until his retirement to Salisbury in 2011 and is someone I have known for 18 years.
“In April of this year, and at his request, I agreed to provide a character reference to go before the courts.
“On reflection I considered this to have been an error of judgement on my part and asked that the reference be withdrawn.
“I’m truly sorry that the reference was submitted and understand the pain that this will have caused those who suffered as a result of Robert Bailey’s crimes. I offer them my heartfelt apology.
“I will, of course, co-operate fully with the national church safeguarding team and any subsequent investigation around this matter, as I seek to learn from this situation.”
The bishop has agreed to temporarily step back from all diocesan safeguarding decision-making while the investigation is underway.
No complaints were made against him during his time in Carlisle and his offences did not happen while he was living and working in Cumbria.
A church spokesman said safeguarding was an “absolute priority” in the diocese and there was a commitment to transparency and openness to protect the vulnerable in church communities.
The statement added: “It is a matter of deep shame and regret that the Rev Robert Bailey has been sentenced to eight years and four months in prison for sexually assaulting children.
“There are no excuses whatsoever for what took place; abuse is a terrible crime and a grievous breach of trust, which has lifelong effects.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those who have been affected, particularly the victims and their family.”
