Statement concerning David Fletcher

We were shocked and dismayed to hear the testimonies of three women about their experience of the Revd. David Fletcher’s reprehensible behaviour, as alleged on Channel 4 News this evening. We both knew him from our time as students, and Lee worked at St Ebbe’s for a little while in 1994. Our hearts go out to the courageous women who came forward to talk about what happened to them.

Having looked carefully at Church Society records since we first heard of these allegations this morning, we can say that David Fletcher was a member of Church Society from 1987 and paid his subscriptions (with occasional small additional donations), but he was never a member of our Council or committees, and did not contribute to our ministry by, for example, writing for Churchman. He was, however, a leading member of Reform, whose members joined Church Society in 2018.

We prayed this evening in our regular Church Society prayer meeting for these brave women who have suffered so much, and any other victims who may subsequently come forward. What happened to them is not acceptable. We pray that justice and truth will prevail, knowing that neither are served by attempting to keep things covered up. As the Book of Common Prayer puts it, we must neither dissemble nor cloak our sins. Jesus said the truth will set you free (John 8:32). See Lee’s article on serving the truth in scandal from 2017.

If anyone is affected by this, and would like to come forward, either for support to disclose, or to share any related information, or for pastoral support, please contact safeguarding@churchofengland.org, or safeguarding@Oxford.anglican.org where a member of the team will treat your concerns with the utmost sensitivity. For those who wish to remain anonymous, they can still seek support through Safe Spaces, an independent service provided by the church.

If you have any safeguarding concerns regarding Church Society now or in the past, please contact safeguarding@churchsociety.org.

Revd Fletcher’s family have been informed and support has been offered to them. The Church of England, and the Diocese of Oxford have responded as well as St Ebbe’s Church.

LEE GATISS, Director

ROS CLARKE, Associate Director