The outcome of a disciplinary tribunal concerning the Revd I.A.
Williamson has been made known in a statement by the Archbishop of
Armagh to the parishioners of the parochial group of Errigle Keerogue,
Ballygawley and Killeshill at services on Sunday 13 March 2011.
The statement reads : ‘On the 26 June 2009, I suspended the Revd Ivan
Alister Williamson from his duties as incumbent of the parochial group
of Errigle Keerogue, Ballygawley and Killeshill pending the formal
investigation of a complaint which I had lodged against him under
Chapter VIII of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland.
The
Disciplinary Tribunal of the Church of Ireland, having investigated the
complaint, has now found Mr Alister Williamson to be guilty of conduct
unbecoming to the sacred calling of a person in holy orders.
The
Tribunal heard evidence that Mr Williamson had entered into electronic
communications of a sexual nature with a young person (over the age of
16) and had engaged in electronic communications of a sexual nature with
other named individuals which the Tribunal determined were
inappropriate.
The Tribunal also held that by engaging in the
aforementioned conduct and by allowing an inappropriate personal
relationship to develop with a young person Mr Williamson acted in
breach of the current Church of Ireland child protection policy,
Safeguarding Trust.
‘The Disciplinary Tribunal has ordered that Mr Williamson be
permanently deprived of his office as incumbent of the parochial group
of Errigle Keerogue, Ballygawley and Killeshill and that he be deposed
from holy orders.
The order deposing him from holy orders is subject to a
stay for a period of one year and shall not be implemented if
satisfactory medical reports are received.’