Bishop George Bell: Review to look at 'abuse' case

Blackmailed?

An independent review is to be carried out into how the Church of England handled the case of a former bishop named as an alleged paedophile.

The church settled the civil claim of a woman who said she was abused by the late Bishop of Chichester, George Bell, in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

The review will look at how it handled the allegations, first made in 1995, and the decision to settle the case.

Bishop Bell's supporters have been critical of the church's investigation.

The George Bell Group said Bishop Bell - Bishop of Chichester from 1929 until his death in 1958 - was "much admired" and noted for being one of the first to speak out in the 1930s against the dangers Adolf Hitler posed.  (more...)

Bishop George Bell: Review to look at 'abuse' case