Vicar Caught With His Pants Down
Same old story, different sect. I’ve been writing a lot about Catholic priests boinking altarboys, how about we take a slight detour and look at a Church of England vicar doing the same thing?
A Vicar from Leeds, England has been convicted and sentenced for raping two young boys in his charge and a variety of other sex offenses, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post. Peter Hedge, age 47, performed “calculated and sytematic” abuse, according to Judge Peter Benson. “As a result of your conduct, which really defies description in its wickedness, you not only robbed these young men of their childhood, you scarred their young lives.” Hedge, first as a curate at St. Margaret’s Church in Thornbury, Bradford, and later as vicar at Holy Trinity Church, Queensbury, systematically abused the trust of his young charges, reportedly giving them money to buy marijuana and also to buy their silence.
In 1997, one of the boys reported Hedge to the police and while he was questioned, he was never charged. He continued as a member of the clergy until 2007 when the charges came to light publically. He has been charged with three counts of rape and 33 counts of indecent assault against 6 boys during the 1990s.
Hedge, of course, denied the charges and never showed a moment of sorrow for the things he’s done. He claims that the six boys were lying about him hoping for a “big money” compensation claim. Nobody bought it and he was found guilty of two of the rape charges and numerous other sex-related charges and sentenced to 14 years in prison. It luckily doesn’t stop there though, he’s also been barred from working with children for life.
The Right Reverend David James, the Bishop of Bradford, at least acted shocked in his statement to the press: “Clergy of the Church of England are expected to uphold the highest moral standards; by committing these very serious crimes Peter Hedge has betrayed the trust put in him by the people of Thornbury and Queensbury.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the victims who have been deeply damaged by someone who should have been nurturing them and keeping them safe. And I thank them for their courage in coming forward to give evidence.
“The Diocese of Bradford now has stringent policies in place. We have adopted codes of good practice which help prevent abuse and these are regularly reviewed.”
Sure pal, close the barn door after the horses have molested the chickens. I don’t know how much faith to place in Bishop James’ words though, the idea that they had no idea whatsoever that their Vicar was being questioned by police about child molestation rings very hollow, just as it does with the Catholic Church. If they honestly didn’t know, then they’re incompetent. Certainly the child who went to the police also talked to other clergy members, parents, etc. This isn’t something that could have been kept a deep, dark secret. The police most certainly should have spoken to the Vicar’s superiors, even to let them know about the conversation. So not knowing is a load of hooey in my opinion. And if they did know, why didn’t they act for 10 years? Because they were trying to keep it secret from the public, of course! So long as you keep the scandal secret, the money keeps flowing in!
This kind of thing is ridiculous but it keeps happening over and over. Shouldn’t these religions realize the potential public relations disaster that’s going to be waiting for them once the news inevitably comes out? I’m sure the “stringent policies” Bishop James spoke of aren’t aimed at keeping molesting priests out of the churches, but at keeping the news quiet so nobody has to pay out money to the victims.
Bah, straight into the Religious Horror Show with you.
One Comment to “Vicar Caught With His Pants Down”
close the barn door after the horses have molested the chickens
Pretty much what I thought when I read that statement. It doesn't matter what denomination it is, every time I read stuff like this, I can't help thinking, Jesus Christ! Not another one!"
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