The Bishop of Chelmsford has said lessons “need to be learned” after a vicar was removed over sexual abuse allegations.

David Tudor, who was rector of the parish of Canvey in Essex, had been suspended for the past five years but was banned for life by the Church of England at a court hearing this week.

The panel heard he had sexual relationships with two girls – one aged under 16 – between 1982 and 1989.

The Right Reverend Dr Guli Francis-Deqhani welcomed the decision to “bar him from ministry for life”.

“I am deeply sorry for the deep hurt and harm caused by David Tudor’s behavior,” said Dr. Francis-Deqhani.

“There will be important lessons to be learned from how this issue has been handled over the years and I welcome the fact that there will now be an independent national review of safeguarding practices. »

THE court determined that Mr Tudor’s behavior – which occurred while he was a priest in the Diocese of Southwark – constituted “a breach of trust” which amounted to “grooming”.

Mr Tudor told the two-day court he had no memory of the incidents with the two girls – identified as X and Y – but he admitted sexual acts took place between him and Y and did not dispute X’s account of what happened. arrived.

The court heard how the former vicar tried to keep the relationship with X – which began when she was 15 – a secret, demanding she destroy her diary.

He apologized completely to X and Y.

Surrey Police said they investigated a report in 2019 of “non-recent indecent assaults” against a man in his 60s from Canvey Island – believed to have taken place in Reigate – but the Crown Prosecution Service determined that There was not enough evidence to take the case into court.

“As with all closed cases, if new or compelling evidence comes to our attention we will consider reopening the investigation,” a force spokesperson added.

Mr Tudor was also charged but acquitted of indecently assaulting a 16-year-old girl – identified as Z – in January 1988, the court heard.

He was sentenced to six months in prison in 1988 for indecent assault against three other complainants, but this conviction was later overturned by the Court of Appeal.

After serving a five-year suspension, he returned to the ministry in the 1990s and was appointed vicar of the Canvey Island team in 1997 and rector of the team in 2000.

Mr Tudor was subsequently suspended in 2005 by the Diocese of Chelmsford after a complaint was made regarding his conduct relating to a period before his ordination in the 1970s, which did not involve X or Y.

The court heard there were no criminal proceedings and he was allowed to return to his post at Canvey Island.

The Right Reverend Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, said that Mr. Tudor’s behavior constituted “a serious and harmful violation of his pastoral and professional obligations as a priest.

Mr. Tudor’s victims are fully supported, Rev. Chessun added, saying he is “deeply grateful” for their courage in sharing their experiences and engaging “in this long and difficult process.”