Following the conviction in the Guernsey Magistrate's Court of a former incumbent in the Deanery of Guernsey on a charge of indecent assault, the Dean of Guernsey, with the support of the two vice deans, has issued an open letter to the people of Guernsey, which is available here.
The Dean writes, "We are truly sorry that the actions of our former colleague have caused distress and harm to another person. Our calling as leaders of the Church is to protect and respect everybody, especially the vulnerable, and we feel a great sense of shame that we have failed to do this on this occasion."
The Dean draws attention to support available to those who have been affected by the misconduct of clergy: "We are conscious that many will have found it distressing to read the difficult news on Saturday morning. Many, including those to whom John Moore had ministered during his time in Guernsey, will feel the force of the statement [in the open letter]: ‘A failure in meeting the standard expected results in profound disappointment, and a deep sense of being let down.' "
We draw the attention of anyone who may have been affected in any way by this news, and wishes to speak about it, to two websites which may be helpful: