By Christian George
A vicar, Rev Helen Greenham, who had knowledge of her husband’s sexual abuse of children and failed to disclose to the Church of England has been suspended.
Her suspension from St Helen’s Church in Solihull is pending the outcome of a disciplinary tribunal for not disclosing to her diocese her hubby, Peter Jenkin’s abuse on children.
A permanent ban may be placed on her to serve as a deterrent to others.
According to BBC, Church of England’s removal of her from public office, in addition to “Prohibition from Ministry for life”, reflected “the severity of the misconduct”, said the Diocese of Birmingham.
It could be recalled that Jenkins had faced 13 years jail term over raft of sex offences, including rape, committed between 1984 and 2005. The offences predate the pair’s association with St Helen’s and there is no evidence of any criminal behaviour connected to the church.
Source futher gathered that last year her failure to disclose her knowledge of Jenkins’ behaviour had spanned a period between her appointment and 2019, when criminal proceedings began, after which time the pair separated.
One of Jenkin’s victims, Georgina Rothwell said she was raped by him at aged 13, had an abortion while Jenkins was a student in the north of England in the late 1980s adding that : “Peter made sex almost like a currency – you got looked after, cared for, but you had to pay for it.”
Despite IVF treatment in later life, Ms Rothwell said she had not been able to conceive a child which was “the thing that was most important to me”.
“I’m angry that Peter stole my childhood, he stole my innocence, I’m disgusted with him, she added.