Lawyers welcome decision to strip clerical status from Catholic priest convicted of child sexual abuse
Lawyers representing a survivor of sexual abuse at the hands of former Catholic priest Dennis Finbow say they are encouraged by the decision to remove his clerical status and rights as a Catholic priest.
Posted on 11 December 2024
Finbow, who once served as a priest in the Diocese of East Anglia (DEA), was jailed in 2023 for six and a half years for abusing a young girl in the 1980s while he worked in Dogsthorpe, Peterborough. He was told he would be on the sex offenders' register for life.
Finbow, who had also served in St Neots in Cambridgeshire, had retired and not been in active ministry since 2001.
In a statement issued last month, DEA Bishop Peter Collins confirmed Finbow has had his clerical status and rights as a Catholic priest removed by Pope Francis following his conviction.
Leigh Day human rights solicitor Andrew Lord, who is representing survivors of alleged abuse by Finbow, said:
“We welcome the Diocese of East Anglia’s decision to remove Dennis Finbow’s clerical status following his conviction for the horrific abuse of a vulnerable child.
“While no action can fully erase the harm Finbow caused, we are encouraged that the Catholic Church is taking measures to hold him accountable. It is crucial that institutions support survivors of abuse and prioritise safeguarding children.”
Survivors who suffered abuse or believe they have information about the allegations relating to Finbow can confidentially contact Andrew Lord at alord@leighday.co.uk
Andrew Lord
Andrew Lord is a senior associate solicitor in the abuse claims team.
Almost £100,000 settlement for childhood sexual abuse legal claim against St Barnabas’ Church
A man who describes being sexually abused as a child by former choirmaster David Turner has received a £95,000 settlement in a civil claim.
Abuse and exploitation claims
Acting on behalf of those who have suffered abuse