Content warning: This report contains information about reports of abuse which some readers may find triggering. Please take care when reading.
An external review into the ‘safeguarding culture’ at an independent evangelical London church has been commissioned by its leaders.
The inquiry follows multiple allegations of ‘emotional, psychological and spiritual abuse’ under the former leadership of the Anglican church from which it emerged two years ago.
Christian Safeguarding Services (CSS), an evangelical agency, has been asked by Lyonsdown Church, New Barnet, to launch the probe to ensure that its current practices and culture are all appropriate.
The fellowship began in March 2021 and consisted of the vast majority of the Church of England congregation of Holy Trinity, Lyonsdown (HTL).
CSS says: ‘Allegations have been made of emotional, psychological and spiritual abuse by the former leadership at Holy Trinity Lyonsdown. Although Lyonsdown Church is now an independent charity and not part of the Church of England, some concerns have been raised with the Local Authority that there could be, by association, ongoing safeguarding risks at Lyonsdown Church.
‘The purpose of this review is to examine the safeguarding arrangements and church culture at Lyonsdown Church to establish whether there are any safeguarding concerns. The findings will be presented to the church leadership and also to the appropriate statutory agencies … This review is open to anyone who currently attends Lyonsdown Church or who previously attended Holy Trinity Lyonsdown.’
Rich Hall, pastor at Lyonsdown Church, told en that the church trustees and the safeguarding lead received an anonymous letter containing historical allegations of abuse experienced at Holy Trinity Lyonsdown. He added: ‘The letter also informed us of a review which was being carried out looking into these allegations by the diocese. Since receiving the initial letter the Trustees have sought and received extensive advice from CSS.
‘CSS helped follow up with the complainants, seeking to better understand their concerns, and have also consulted with the diocese and Local Authority. We are aware that although Lyonsdown Church is now an independent church, and that none of the allegations were against anyone currently in the church, concerns had been raised that there could be ongoing safeguarding risks at Lyonsdown Church.
‘In light of these concerns, and advice from CSS, the Trustees have commissioned CSS to undertake a comprehensive safeguarding review of Lyonsdown Church. This involves assessing our policies and procedures, and also reviewing our current ministry culture in consultation with church members, past and present.
‘In prayerfully considering the nature and scope of this review, the trustees sought the advice of the FIEC, and have adhered to everything that CSS have recommended. Likewise the Local Authority have confirmed that they are completely satisfied with the process we are undertaking.
‘The Church is fully cooperating with CSS as they undertake this review through meetings, focus groups and a questionnaire in which church members, past and present, are invited to provide their reflections on Lyonsdown Church culture and are able to provide reflections on historical culture also.’
Hall said the review will be presented to the church leadership, the appropriate statutory agencies and will be made publicly available. ‘Our desire and prayer is that this process will help ensure that in all areas Lyonsdown Church is safe and loving,’ he said.
The questionnaire can be found online at https://www.cognitoforms.com/CSS19/ LyonsdownChurchCultureReview
The deadline for responses is (at the time of writing) 25 June 2023.
● Background: According to a former HTL member, there are potentially around 50 survivors of the alleged abuse they and others have identified. The allegations of emotional, psychological and spiritual abuse relate to the time when Charles Dobbie was vicar at HTL from 2000 until his retirement in 2021.
The new investigation comes after two previous inquiries into Dobbie, including an unsuccessful Clergy Disciplinary Measure (CDM).
The CDM was followed by a closed and confidential St Albans Diocesan Review into several allegations. This was carried out in 2021–2022 by Michael Beasley, then Bishop of Hertford (now the Bishop of Bath and Wells). It is understood that the conclusions were not accepted by Dobbie. Following the closed Diocesan Review, several individuals contacted the trustees and safeguarding officers at Lyonsdown Church to request a new ‘truly independent, public review’.
en has spoken with two individuals on condition of anonymity. They spoke of a ‘culture of fear’ and claimed a ‘long history of emotional, psychological and spiritual abuse’ at HTL. One alleged that there had been ‘a deep distrust of the wider church, including other conservative evangelical churches. There was a consistent message of the dangers of the false church. Many were led to have deep insecurities about other churches, even conservative evangelical ones, and to question the faith of family and friends based at such churches.’
They said there was an ‘inability to truly question, disagree or debate’ and that those who attempted to were ‘silenced, marginalised and questioned as lacking faithfulness to the gospel’.
The confidential executive summary of the St Albans Diocesan Review from June 2022 (seen by en) says: ‘The reviewer believes that there is sufficient evidence … to conclude that the culture of HTL was one in which instances of emotional and psychological abuse took place as a result of persistent coercive and controlling behaviour in the context of Christian ministry.’
The summary adds: ‘It would not be appropriate to take a view on whether any controlling, harmful or abusive behaviour on the part of Charles Dobbie or others was intentional or unintentional and the nature of this review cannot make a finding of fact. However, several former members of HTL have come forward to say they have experienced spiritual abuse and suffered long-term harm. This, together with the other information held by the Diocese, gives sufficient cause for concern that spiritual abuse is likely to have occurred.’
The conduct of the earlier CDM was also heavily criticised by this later review. It says: ‘The CDM failed to address the totality of the information which the Diocese had gathered, although those submitting the statements had every expectation that it would do so. The Diocese failed to give them an explanation at the time and contact from the Diocese abruptly ceased shortly after the CDM failed. The lack of any follow-up with the survivors was a significant failure on the part of the Diocese.’
One survivor told en that the Diocese has apologised for its failure and ‘poor handling’ of the CDM. en has tried to contact Charles Dobbie for comment.
