Fr Dominic Robinson SJ, parish priest at Farm Street, Mayfair in London, is now acting senior chaplain and listed on the chaplaincy website as a member of the chaplaincy team.
Jesuits have staffed the chaplaincy, with lay colleagues and employees, for around 20 years, but it is actually a work of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.
Along with the chaplaincy at Cambridge, it is governed by the Oxford and Cambridge Catholic Education Board. The Oxford Board is chaired by the new Bishop of Plymouth, Nicholas Hudson.
There is also the Newman Trust which exists to support and finance the chaplaincy and which covers legal, financial, maintenance and employment matters.
In a statement posted on the chaplaincy website, the Oxford Board says Fr Howard was asked to step down from his role at the Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy “on the grounds of professional misconduct, following a complaint made by a student, which was investigated by the Jesuits in Britain and found to be substantiated”.
This investigation is currently subject to an ongoing independent review commissioned by Jesuits in Britain.
The Oxford Board continues, “We continue to take very seriously the wellbeing and welfare of students and all members of the Chaplaincy community. Anyone who has concerns relating to this matter should speak to one of the chaplains.”
Fr Howard was Senior Chaplain from 2023 to 2025. The complaint was made on 30 July last year to Jesuits in Britain.
The independent review is being conducted by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency.
Fr Howard was an honorary fellow of Campion Hall, the Jesuit hall at Oxford, but he held no teaching or pastoral responsibilities within the hall and the complainant was not a member of the Hall.
However, the Governing Body considered the matter of his honorary fellowship at its first meeting of Michaelmas Term and decided, on the basis of alleged professional misconduct, to terminate it.
Jesuits in Britain said in a statement on their website, “We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of everyone in our communities, and have strengthened our practices over the years to ensure our institutions remain safe, supportive, and respectful places for all. Fr Damian Howard SJ was asked to step down as Senior Chaplain at Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy in August 2025 due to professional misconduct, following a complaint that was investigated and substantiated. The complaint was addressed immediately when it came to our attention. A safeguarding investigation confirmed that inappropriate behaviour had occurred, which we regard as entirely unacceptable. He was asked to step down and has been out of ministry ever since.”
Jesuits in Britain said they are awaiting the recommendations of the CSSA review. The matter has also been reported to the Charity Commission and to the relevant authorities.
“We take our safeguarding responsibilities very seriously and will continue to act as required.”