Robert Smith, a Deacon of the Ordinariate, has pleaded guilty to criminal offences relating to possession of Indecent Images of children . He was sentenced at 33 weeks, suspended for 18 months at  Maidstone Crown Court on 30th June.

Upon notification by the police of his offending, Dn Smith was immediately suspended from ministry, he remains out of ministry. The offences did not take place in a ministry or parish setting.

The Ordinariate is committed to proactively embedding a culture of safeguarding and to ensuring that perpetrators are held to account. Our safeguarding team worked closely with statutory agencies throughout this investigation, and we will continue to do so. I am deeply sorry for any victims of Deacon Smith’s crimes and to their families for the harm they have suffered. My prayers are with them and all who have been harmed by abuse.

Bishop David Waller

Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.

Anyone with a safeguarding concern, past or present, is encouraged to contact Fr Simon Ellis, our Safeguarding Liaison, at safeguarding@ordinariate.org.uk

For more information on the Ordinariate’s safeguarding policies, please visit our Safeguarding page.

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