Yesterday (14 November), the Diocese of Winchester released the following press statement regarding the Makin Review’s findings in relation to the Revd Sue Colman, who is a part-time voluntary Associate Minister in the parish of Oakley with Wootton, and her husband Jamie Colman:
“The Diocese of Winchester is appalled by the findings of the Makin Review and the sheer extent of the horrific abuse perpetrated by John Smyth. It is a matter of deep regret and sorrow that John Smyth was able to have any association with our diocese while perpetrating such abhorrent abuse.
The Diocese of Winchester has asked Revd Colman to step back from all ministerial duties while we reflect on the review’s findings and work with the National Safeguarding Team to take steps to manage any associated risk. Mr Colman has no official ministerial position in our diocese but has also been asked to step back from volunteering.
Bishop Philip has made it clear that all failures in safeguarding should be treated with the utmost seriousness, whether locally or nationally, and that the response to those failures should be proportionate and appropriate. Our prayers continue to be with all those affected by this grievous matter.”
We can add that Revd Sue Colman cooperated fully with the process of being interviewed for the Makin Review, and she and Jamie Colman have understood and agreed to the diocese’s request to step back. In addition, it has been agreed that all parish activities originally scheduled at Malshanger Park, owned by the Colmans, will take place at alternative locations.
We fully understand concerns raised about whether action could have been taken earlier. We can share that the National Safeguarding Team met with and carried out a risk assessment of Revd Colman, prior to the Makin Review, based on the information they had and Revd Colman was deemed not to be a risk.
The diocese and the parish then followed due process in waiting to be guided by the more detailed findings and recommendations of Makin, and we are now committed to doing all in our power to learn from and respond to it, to ensure the Church in this diocese is as safe a place as it can possibly be.
The Bishop’s Staff team have asked the Diocese of Winchester’s Independent Safeguarding Panel to undertake an internal review of whether appropriate responses had indeed been taken in the past.
In doing so, our desire is to continually improve our safeguarding practices, and also ensure our responses to any failures or inconsistencies in these processes are absolutely appropriate and proportionate. We are also committed to continually developing in our understanding of the experience of survivors and how failures in our processes are experienced by people who have already suffered so much and are at risk of being continually re-traumatised.
As ever, our prayers are with these survivors who have showed immense courage to come forward to bear witness to their stories, often at great personal cost.
Our prayers are also with everyone in the parish, the Revd Ben Kautzer who leads it, and the surrounding community in the wake of this terrible situation.
