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Former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey is allowed to preach again just weeks before child sex inquiry looks into allegations that he 'covered up' abuse
It comes just weeks before inquiry which will look into claims that Lord Carey was among senior church figures who 'colluded' with bishop Peter Ball
Ball was convicted in 2015 of sexually abusing vulnerable young men and boys
By JESSICA GREEN FOR MAILONLINE
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
July 14, 2018
The former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey has been allowed to preach once again by the Church of England, it has been revealed.
It comes just two weeks before the child abuse inquiry which will look into claims that Lord Carey was among senior church figures who 'colluded' with bishop Peter Ball.
Ball, formerly bishop of Lewes and of Gloucester, was convicted in 2015 of sexually abusing vulnerable young men and boys.
Last June, the former Archbishop, who was in the role from 1991 until 2002, stood down from his role as honorary assistant bishop in the diocese and so lost the right to lead church services.
It followed the publication of an independent report that criticised the Church's handling of Ball.
Nonetheless Lord Carey was given 'permission to officiate' in February by the Bishop of Oxford Dr Steven Croft, report the Telegraph.
However the diocese insisted that this did not mean that the 82-year-old would be returning to his previous role as bishop.
Published last year, the Gibb review reported that Lord Carey had 'set the tone' of the Church's reaction to Ball, with it criticising the decision to allow him to continue to minister after accepting a caution for gross indecency in 1993.
Dame Moira Gibb said Lord Carey 'played the lead role' in letting Ball lead services such as baptisms and confirmations, along with speaking at 17 public schools, all the way until 2007.
Her 18-month investigation found that senior church figures, including Lord Carey, 'colluded' with Ball in order to help him avoid criminal charges.
Ball was convicted of indecent assault and misconduct in public office after the case was reopened in 2012. At the start of last year, he was released from jail.
Lord Carey apologised to Ball's victims following the report's publication.
He said: 'I believed Peter Ball's protestations and gave too little credence to the vulnerable young men and boys behind these allegations.'
In a statement the diocese of Oxford said: 'In the wake of Dame Moira Gibb's review, Lord Carey stood down from the role of Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Oxford in June 2017, and withdrew from public ministry for a season. Lord Carey accepted the criticisms made of him at the time and has apologised to the victims of Peter Ball.
'In February 2018 Lord Carey contacted the Diocese of Oxford to request PTO (permission to officiate). This was granted by the Bishop of Oxford later the same month.
'The granting of PTO enabled Lord Carey to preach and preside in the church where he worships, a church where his ministry is much valued. The granting of a PTO does not indicate a planned return to the role of Assistant Bishop.'
END
