Thinking Anglicans

Next stage of Makin Review CDMs announced

The Church of England issued the following press release this morning.

Next stage of Makin Review CDMs announced
05/06/2025

Following the conclusion of the work to review all clergy under the authority or oversight of the Church of England who are criticised in the Makin review, it was announced in February that the National Safeguarding Team (NST) would seek to bring disciplinary proceedings under the Clergy Discipline Measure (CDM) against 10 clergy including two bishops. In all cases, the complaint was ‘out of time’ and so the permission of the President of the Tribunals needed to be sought to initiate proceedings. The President has now considered the applications and granted permission in seven of the 10 cases. This is an independent judicial process, and the National Safeguarding Team entirely respect the decisions.

The NST will now initiate proceedings under the CDM against the following individuals:

  • Bishop Paul Butler
  • Revd Roger Combes
  • Revd Sue Colman
  • Revd Andrew Cornes
  • Revd Tim Hastie-Smith
  • Revd Nick Stott
  • Revd John Woolmer

No further action under the CDM will be taken against the following individuals:

  • Bishop George Carey
  • Revd Paul Perkin
  • Revd Hugh Palmer

The decision to bring CDMs was undertaken in line with the process announced in December and concluded in February with recommendations of an independent panel and reviewed by an independent barrister.

Victims and survivors and all those criticised in the Makin review have been informed and support offered. The National Safeguarding Team will make no further comment on these cases whilst the CDM proceedings are under way.

1 Comment

Bangor Cathedral – more updates

Updated on Thursday to add Church Times article.

Earlier updates are here and here.

The Cathedral has advertised for a new dean; applications close on 6 June 2025.

Meanwhile Gwyn Loader reports for BBC News that the Cathedral has spending suspended over debts.

The Revd Dr John Prysor-Jones and the Very Revd Professor Gordon McPhate have written to the Church Times: Bangor Cathedral inquiry needed. They are members of the College of Priests at Bangor Cathedral, where they have worshipped since retirement. There are press reports on this.

Madeleine Davies Church Times Bangor Cathedral Chapter puts freeze on new spending

4 Comments

Opinion – 4 June 2025

The Church Mouse Confessions of a Quiet Revival Sceptic

Anon Surviving Church Surviving Abuse and Institutional Betrayal

Mark Clavier Well-Tempered Hope for a Hurting Church

26 Comments

Appointment of Suffragan Bishop of Crediton

The Prime Minister’s Office has announced that the next Suffragan Bishop of Crediton will be the Venerable Moira Astin, Archdeacon of Reigate; details are in the press release copied below. There is more on the Exeter diocesan website here, and on the Southwark diocesan website here.

Appointment of Suffragan Bishop of Crediton: 3 June 2025

The King has approved the nomination of The Venerable Moira Anne Elizabeth Astin, Archdeacon of Reigate, in the Diocese of Southwark, to the Suffragan See of Crediton in the Diocese of Exeter.

From: Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
Published 3 June 2025

The King has approved the nomination of The Venerable Moira Anne Elizabeth Astin, Archdeacon of Reigate, in the Diocese of Southwark, to the Suffragan See of Crediton in the Diocese of Exeter.

Background

Moira was educated at Clare College Cambridge and trained for ministry at Wycliffe Hall Oxford. She served her title at St Nicolas, Newbury, in the Diocese of Oxford, and in 1996, she was ordained Priest. From 1999 Moira served as Team Vicar of Thatcham Team Ministry and Lead Minister of Dunston Park Ecumenical Partnership and in 2005 she was appointed Team Vicar, later Vicar, of St James Woodley.

From 2011, Moira served as Priest-in-Charge, then Vicar, of Frodingham and New Brumby, Scunthorpe, in the Diocese of Lincoln, additionally serving as Ecumenical Officer for the Diocese and Area Dean North Lincolnshire.

16 Comments