A priest reportedly sought £30,000 for unauthorized job-related costs and established a “separatist” congregation, as revealed by an inquiry.
Ryan Forey, aged 35, gave himself a monthly salary of £300 and his spouse £500 as he managed Citizen Church in Cardiff.
Mr. Forey’s monthly payments to himself were for services that “did not take place,” and the “clergy spouse allowance” for his wife was not considered a “valid expense.”
The court was informed that the payments were not hidden, and he maintained a “sincere but mistaken conviction” that they were permissible since he had observed “comparable procedures in earlier churches where he served.”
The fallen clergyman also established a ‘separatist’ congregation in Cardiff known as Be Church.
He mentioned that establishing the alternative church was “an act driven by pain, openness, and a loss of confidence in his future within the Anglican Church.”
Furthermore, he created an application that enabled users to view the names of children participating in the church, violating safety protocols.
Although informed of the “safeguarding risk” and requested to remove the application, he declined, according to the Tribunal.
In 2020, Mr. Forey relocated to Wales and took responsibility for Citizens Church, a group based in Cathays that primarily serves students and young members of the church.
He was requested to relocate to Wales during the last year of his training, yet he “missed the organized assistance provided by a traditional curacy,” as he was “immediately assigned to a position equivalent to that of an incumbent” by the previous Bishop of Llandaff.
The decision stated that he “was not sufficiently trained” for his position and “there was a notable lack of support, oversight, and direction.”
It issued a ‘monition’ – a official notice or alert regarding all the accusations.
This indicates that Mr. Forey is not eligible to occupy a “relevant position” unless he completes safety protection training and receives oversight for a period of two years.
He confessed to the accusations and issued a statement published on
Instagram
took accountability for the accusations.
He posted online: “My family and I are prepared to move forward into whatever God has planned for us next.”
We desire to resume our service in England, and we continue to look forward with anticipation and optimism that God will create the appropriate opportunity allowing us to come together again, restore our efforts, and rejoin His congregation.
Read more
- Why did a former priest, who confesses to taking money from funerary accounts, violate his bond by sending unsettling messages to a bishop?
- What prompted a previous religious leader to abandon his spiritual responsibilities for fraud and extravagantly spend almost £100,000?
- What caused the Archbishop of Wales to unexpectedly declare his resignation amid claims of an inappropriate atmosphere at Bangor Cathedral?
- What role did a bold message from a dismissed church financial officer play in revealing discrimination within a faith-based organization and leading to a dramatic legal triumph?
- What caused the dramatic dismissal of Reverend Murphy, and what action is the Free Church of England taking?
