Anglican diocese breaks silence on Sobantu priest abuse allegations

The Anglican Diocese of Natal says a priest accused of sexually assaulting minors in Sobantu, Pietermaritzburg, was suspended from all ministerial duties immediately after the church received a complaint from the family of an alleged victim.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Anglican Bishop Nkosinathi Ndwandwe said the complaint was received on September 2, after which the priest was prohibited from performing any pastoral, liturgical, administrative or supervisory duties.

The priest was also instructed not to contact the complainant, the alleged victim or any potential witnesses.

The statement comes after allegations surfaced at St Christopher’s Parish Church in Sobantu, where angry residents on Sunday demanded that the priest be removed from the church following claims that several minors had been sexually abused.

The Witness has established that a further sexual assault complaint was reported to Mountain Rise police on Monday after the family of a 17-year-old girl approached police following her disclosure of an alleged assault.

LifeLine director Snikiwe Biyela said the teenager had also spoken to the organisation about the alleged abuse.

The allegations have since prompted calls for urgent action against the priest and greater protection for children attending the church.

The diocese said the allegations are now the subject of an internal investigation to determine whether disciplinary action should be taken under church law.

However, Ndwandwe stressed that the church’s internal process would not replace or interfere with any criminal investigation.

Our internal investigation is separate from, and will not replace, delay or interfere with any criminal investigation.

The diocese said it had also engaged the Department of Social Development and would co-operate fully with relevant state authorities.

The matter has further been reported to the Anglican Safe and Inclusive Church Commission, a national structure responsible for keeping people safe from abuse within the church.

Ndwandwe said the church had a responsibility to protect its members independently of the outcome of any criminal trial.

“Quite independently of any criminal trial, the church has to uphold its pastoral standards and protect its people,” he said.

The bishop said the church would not conceal, minimise or shield anyone from accountability, regardless of their position.

“Any abuse of pastoral authority, particularly against women, children and vulnerable persons is a profound betrayal of that sacred trust and is fundamentally incompatible with the ministry of a priest,” he said.

The diocese said it would make further announcements once its internal investigation had been completed and a decision on further action had been made.